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diff --git a/.gitattributes b/.gitattributes new file mode 100644 index 0000000..d7b82bc --- /dev/null +++ b/.gitattributes @@ -0,0 +1,4 @@ +*.txt text eol=lf +*.htm text eol=lf +*.html text eol=lf +*.md text eol=lf diff --git a/LICENSE.txt b/LICENSE.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6312041 --- /dev/null +++ b/LICENSE.txt @@ -0,0 +1,11 @@ +This eBook, including all associated images, markup, improvements, +metadata, and any other content or labor, has been confirmed to be +in the PUBLIC DOMAIN IN THE UNITED STATES. + +Procedures for determining public domain status are described in +the "Copyright How-To" at https://www.gutenberg.org. + +No investigation has been made concerning possible copyrights in +jurisdictions other than the United States. Anyone seeking to utilize +this eBook outside of the United States should confirm copyright +status under the laws that apply to them. diff --git a/README.md b/README.md new file mode 100644 index 0000000..89748a4 --- /dev/null +++ b/README.md @@ -0,0 +1,2 @@ +Project Gutenberg (https://www.gutenberg.org) public repository for +eBook #52189 (https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/52189) diff --git a/old/52189-8.txt b/old/52189-8.txt deleted file mode 100644 index 66b92d3..0000000 --- a/old/52189-8.txt +++ /dev/null @@ -1,11779 +0,0 @@ -The Project Gutenberg eBook, Sketches of Persia, by John Malcolm - - -This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and most -other parts of the world at no cost and with almost no restrictions -whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms of -the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online at -www.gutenberg.org. If you are not located in the United States, you'll have -to check the laws of the country where you are located before using this ebook. - - - - -Title: Sketches of Persia - - -Author: John Malcolm - - - -Release Date: May 29, 2016 [eBook #52189] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 - - -***START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK SKETCHES OF PERSIA*** - - -E-text prepared by Brian Coe, Moti Ben-Ari, and the Online Distributed -Proofreading Team (http://www.pgdp.net) from page images generously made -available by Internet Archive/American Libraries -(https://archive.org/details/americana) - - - -Note: Images of the original pages are available through - Internet Archive/Americn Libraries. See - https://archive.org/details/sketchesofpersia00malc - - - - - -SKETCHES OF PERSIA. - -by - -SIR JOHN MALCOLM, - -Author of 'History of Persia,' 'History of India,' etc., etc. - -New Edition. - - - - - - - -London: -John Murray, Albemarle Street. -1861. - -London: Printed by W. Clowes and Sons, Stamford Street, -and Charing Cross. - - - - - TO - JOHN FLEMING, ESQ., M.D., F.R.S., &C., - LATE PRESIDENT OF THE MEDICAL BOARD OF CALCUTTA, - BY - HIS MOST SINCERE AND ATTACHED FRIEND, - THE AUTHOR. - - - - -CONTENTS. - - - Page - INTRODUCTION xi - - CHAPTER I. - Voyage from Bombay to the Persian Gulf 1 - - CHAPTER II. - Muscat 6 - - CHAPTER III. - The Persian Gulf and Abusheher 15 - - CHAPTER IV. - Camp at Abusheher--Horses--Abdūlla Aga--Anecdote of an Arab 22 - - CHAPTER V. - Hunting and hawking--Entertainment of the - Shaikh--Tollemache--Mirage--Nadir Shāh and Turkish ambassador 28 - - CHAPTER VI. - Elchee's lectures--Mehmandar's journal--Arab - nurse--Blue-Beard--Persian ceremony--King's picture 37 - - CHAPTER VII. - Mountaineers--Valley of Kazeroon--Virtue of Nitric Acid--Rizā Kooli - Khan's loss of eyes--Extraordinary birds--Beautiful valley of - Desht-e-Arjun--Mahomet Rizā Khan Byat--Irish patriotism--Persian - squire 45 - - CHAPTER VIII. - Principal characters of the mission--Mahomed Hoosein - Khan--Jaffier Ali Khan--Meerzā Aga Meer--Mahomed Hoosein--Hajee - Hoosein--Candidates for the Elchee's favour 53 - - CHAPTER IX. - Importance of forms--Description of those used at visits in - Persia--Difficulties on this subject--Happy termination of a battle - of ceremonies between the first mission and the petty court of - Shiraz--Persian society--Fables and Apologues 62 - - CHAPTER X. - Fable of the two cats--Preamble to Persian treaty--Apologues from - Sādee--Letter from Nizām-ool-Moolk to Mahomed Shāh--Death of - Yezdijird 77 - - CHAPTER XI. - Shiraz--Shaikh-ool-Islūm, or Chief Judge--Story of - Ald-ool-Kadir--Entertainments--Derveesh Seffer--Story of Abdūlla of - Khorassan--Persian poet 87 - - CHAPTER XII. - Persian servants--Departure from Shiraz--Persepolis--Tale of the - labours of Roostem--Anecdote of a sportsman 105 - - CHAPTER XIII. - Travellers and Antiquaries--Wild - Ass--Hawking--Māder-e-Sūlimān--Akleed--Mirrors--Mehdee - Khan--Isfahan--Persian citizens and peasantry--Shāh Abbas the - Great--Hāroon-oor-Rasheed--Nethenz 123 - - CHAPTER XIV. - Cashan--Scorpions--Cāshānee youth--Village of Sinsin--Plundering - expeditions of the Tūrkāmāns--Account of that tribe--Wandering - tribes--Visit to the dwelling of Mihrāb Khan--Afshār--Account of - his family and adherents--Anecdote of Kerreem Khan 145 - - CHAPTER XV. - Arrival at Koom--Mahomedan ladies--their rights and privileges - after marriage--Divorces--Story of Hajee Salāh, the cross-grained - 161 - - CHAPTER XVI. - Departure from Koom--Poolee-Dellāk--Deryā-e-Kebeer--Valley of the - Shadow of Death--Story of a Ghool--Remarks on Persian poetry 180 - - CHAPTER XVII. - Distant view of Teheran--Demavend--Rhe--Entrance into the - capital--Hajee Ibrahim--Zāl Khan--Terms of courtesy 197 - - CHAPTER XVIII. - Terms of reception at court--Second visit--Delivery - of presents--King's grant--Private interviews--King's - ancestors--Crown jewels--King's love of a joke--Mode of passing his - time--Harem--Royal meals--Hajee Ibrahim--His character and death - 207 - - CHAPTER XIX. - Progress of the Russians--Buonaparte--Second visit to - Tullanea--King Abbas Meerzā--Reflections--Electrifying - machine--Phantasmagoria--Ministers of the Persian court--Mahomed - Hoosein Khan Mervee 225 - - - - -INTRODUCTION. - - -Once upon a time this island of Great Britain had some spots where -men and women and little children dwelt, or were believed to dwell, -in innocence, ignorance, and content. Travellers seldom visited them; -poets saw them in their dreams, and novelists told stories of them: but -these days are now past. Thanks to steam-boats and stagecoaches, there -is not a spot to which an ignorant or sage human being can retire, -where his eye will not be delighted or offended by a dark column of -smoke, or his ear gratified or grated by the rattling wheels of a -carriage. It is perhaps a consequence of this invasion of retirement -that all are tempted from their homes, and that while one half of the -population is on the highways, the other half is on the narrow seas. -This love of travel, however, is in the vast majority limited to the -neighbouring countries of Europe; but the ardour of curiosity, and -an ambitious desire of escaping from the beaten track, has of late -years induced not a few scientific and enterprising travellers to -overrun the renowned lands of Greece and Egypt, whose inhabitants stare -with astonishment at men flying with impatience from town to town, -exploring ruins; measuring pyramids; groping in dark caverns; analyzing -the various properties of earth, air, and water; carrying off mutilated -gods and goddesses; packing up common stones and pebbles, as if they -were rubies and diamonds; and even bearing away the carcases of the -dead, strangely preferring the withered frame of a female mummy, which -has been mouldering for four thousand years in its sepulchre, to the -loveliest specimens of living and animated beauty. - -The uniformed natives of these countries, whose condition is much to -be deplored, are not aware that the great Samuel Johnson has said, -that "Whatever raises the past, the distant, and the future, above -the present, exalts us in the dignity of human beings;" which is an -unanswerably good reason for the preference given to mummies over every -living object, however fascinating. - -The rage of the present day for mummies and other delectable reliques -of antiquity has deluged Egypt with itinerant men of science and -research, who have quite exhausted that land of wonders; and those who -have lately visited it have been reduced, from actual want of other -aliment, to the necessity of preying upon their predecessors, many of -whom have been cruelly mangled, and some wholly devoured. - -These wandering tribes of writers, who are, in a certain degree, -subject to the same motives which force the hordes of Tartary to -change their places of abode, have recently begun to migrate into -Syria, Asia Minor, and some have actually penetrated as far as Persia. -This has given me no small alarm, for I have long had designs upon -that country myself: I had seen something of it, and had indulged a -hope that I might, at my leisure, gratify the public by allowing them -to participate in my stock of information; but being of an indolent -disposition, I deferred the execution of this, my favourite plan, until -that anticipated period of repose, the prospect of which, however -distant, has always cheered a life of vicissitude and labour. - -Nothing that had hitherto appeared respecting Persia at all frightened -me. I am no historian, therefore I did not tremble at Sir John -Malcolm's ponderous quartos; I am no tourist, Mr. Morier's Journeys -gave me no uneasiness; the learned Researches of Sir William Ouseley -were enough to terrify an antiquarian, but that was not my trade; and, -as I happen to have clumsy, untaught fingers, and little if any taste -for the picturesque, I viewed without alarm the splendid volumes of Sir -Robert Ker Porter. Far different, however, was the case when that rogue -Hajji Bābā made his appearance. I perused him with anxiety, but was -consoled by finding that, though he approached the very borders of my -province, he had made no serious inroads. I was roused, however, into -action, and determined instantly to rummage those trunks into which my -sketches had been thrown as they were finished, and where many of them -had slumbered undisturbed for nearly thirty years. - -I must warn the reader that the trunks here spoken of bear no -resemblance whatever to those imaginary boxes which it has lately been -the fashion to discover, filled with MSS. unaccountably deposited -in them by some strange and mysterious wight; mine are all real, -well-made, strong, iron-clamped boxes, which I had prepared with -great care, in order that they might preserve the papers I from time -to time intrusted to them. I am well aware that this plain and true -statement of the fact will, with many, diminish the interest of these -pages; but with others it will increase it; for they will be gratified -to find in them sketches taken on the spot, while the facts and the -feelings to which they relate were fresh and warm before me; and I can -truly affirm, that the sense, the nonsense, the anecdotes, the fables, -and the tales,--all, in short, which these volumes contain, with the -exception of a few sage reflections of my own, do actually belong to -the good people amongst whom they profess to have been collected. - -Yet, partial as I was to my secret hoard, it was long before I could -make up my mind to publish. While I was one day musing upon the -subject, my attention was accidentally drawn to a volume of Persian -poetry that was lying on the table. A fāl or lot, I exclaimed, shall -put an end to my indecision! Saying which, according to the usage of -my Persian friends in like cases, I shut my eyes, opened the book, and -counting seven pages back, read the first four lines, as follows: - - "Her kih sefer kerdeh pesendeedeh sheved - Z'āeena-e-noor kemāl-esh deedeh sheved - Pākeezeter ez āb nebāshed cheezee - Her jāh kih kooned mekām gendeedeh sheved." - - "Whoever has travelled shall be approved; - His perfections shall be reflected as from a mirror of light. - There can be nothing more pure than water; - But wherever it stagnates it becomes offensive." - -My delight was excessive, and I despatched my manuscripts forthwith -to the bookseller; who has been desired to keep me minutely informed -of the success of these volumes; and a hint has been given him, that -if they meet with encouragement, the contents of the boxes before -mentioned are far from being exhausted. - - - - -NOTE TO THE READER. - - -The usual orthography of some proper names has been altered, with a -view of rendering them more conformable to the pronunciation and the -grammar of the languages to which they belong. For instance, our old -friend and favourite, the caliph Haroun-al-Raschid of the Arabian -tales, appears under his Arabic name of Hāroon-oor-Rasheed. The -critical reader will also discover that a few of the Eastern words have -not always been spelled exactly alike. This unintentional typographical -inaccuracy was caused by the peculiar circumstances under which these -volumes were printed. - - - - -SKETCHES OF PERSIA. - - - - -CHAPTER I. - -Voyage from Bombay to the Persian Gulf. - - -There is a monotony in a long sea-voyage, particularly to passengers, -which those who have never traversed the wide ocean cannot well -understand. A fair or contrary wind, a calm or a storm, a man -overboard, a strange sail, or the hooking of a shark, are events -which rouse for the moment; but the passenger soon sinks again into -his listless, restless life, sitting half an hour below, walking -another half hour on deck, holding on by the rigging when the ship -rolls, looking over the gangway when the sea is smooth, watching the -man casting the log, and waiting with anxiety to hear the latitude -announced at twelve o'clock. His little incidents are, being in the way -of the officer of the watch when upon deck, and when below disturbing -the captain's calculations of the longitude, by laughing or talking -with other idlers; for that is the class in which he is registered -in the muster-roll of the crew. With me, however, there is a pursuit -which helps to beguile a long voyage. I am always on the lookout for -odd characters, and these abound at sea; from which circumstance, I -suppose, we have our common phrase of calling an out-of-the-way person -"an odd fish," alluding to the element where he is generally found. -Such a one I met on board the frigate in which we sailed for Persia, -and I shall give a sketch of him as taken at the moment. - -This man, whose name was Peterson, was what he appeared to be, a blunt -sailor: his experience in the Indian seas recommended him to the -situation he now occupied, as acting master of a frigate: he was a -figure to play Falstaff, being very stout, and nearly six feet high. He -wore his clothes loose, and, when he came on board, a sailor, struck -with his appearance, turning his quid as he eyed him, exclaimed, "We -shall never be in distress for canvass; our new master wears a spare -set of sails." - -I shall give Peterson's history in his own words, as related after -dinner the day he came on board. "I have been," said he, "thirty-two -years at sea, and have seen both calms and storms. When a young man, -I was stuck full of arrows by some savage Americans; and but for a -tobacco-box, which stopped one that hit upon a vital part, I should -have gone to Davy's locker at that time. Since I came to this country, -twenty-eight years ago, I have had many ups and downs, but weathered -them all pretty tolerably till three years since, when coming to Bombay -in a small sloop, I was laid on board by some pirates belonging to -Bate.[1] We fought as well as we could, but the rascals were too many -for us, and while we were defending one part of the vessel they sprung -on board at another, giving a fire at the same time, which killed my -owner close beside me. A passenger then jumped overboard, for which, -thought I, 'you are a fool;' for let the worst come to the worst, a man -may do that at any time. One of these fellows looking at me cried 'Mar -haramee,' which means, 'kill the rascal.' 'Mut mar,' 'don't kill him,' -said a soft-hearted looking fellow, and defended me from the blow; -so they did not kill me, but stripped and bound me to the capstan, -and away they took us to Bate. When we came there, the chief or head -fellow came on board, and I fully expected we should be sent ashore and -hanged. When this chap sent for me, I was a pretty figure; I had not -been shaved for three weeks, and I was wrapped round with a top-gallant -studding sail. 'What are you?' said the fellow. 'An Englishman,' said -I. 'Very well; I won't kill you.' 'Faith,' thinks I, 'I'm very glad -of that.' 'My people,' says he, 'are all big thieves.' 'Egad,' thinks -I, 'you are the biggest of the gang.' He then asked me what money or -property I had; and I thought at one time he looked as if he would have -given it back; so I tells him all, even to my gold watch. The whole was -about five thousand rupees. 'Well, well,' says he, 'it shall be taken -care of;' and I suppose it was, for I never saw a rap of it, only five -rupees that the villain gave me, in a present, as he called it, to bear -my expenses when he sent me and my crew to Bombay. - -"I left Bate, notwithstanding my losses, as happy as could be, to get -out of their clutches alive; and after some days we reached Bombay in a -pretty pickle; my feet were swelled, I had not shaved since my capture, -and I had only a few ragged clothes on. Two rupees were left out of -the five, and with them I went to a tavern and ordered breakfast; when -it was over I told one of the servants to call his master. In came an -English waiter, with his head all powdered, shuffling and mincing, -saying, as he entered the room, 'Do you want me, Sir?' 'Yes,' says I, -'I want you: I have been plundered, and have got no cash, and will -thank you to lend me twenty or thirty rupees.' 'What are you--a common -sailor?' 'Not quite,' says I; 'but I want the money to get a few -clothes, and then I can go to my friends.' 'I am not master of this -house,' said this gentleman, and out he skips. I saw no more of him -or his twenty rupees; and when I told a servant to get me a tiffin, -he said I had not paid for my breakfast. As I was jawing with this -fellow, a Parsee[2] came in, and asked me if I had not better go to the -bazar, and borrow some clothes, and then go to my friends. Well, God -knows, I had not much heart to do any thing; for the unkindness of my -countryman, after all I had suffered, cut me just as if I had been cut -with a knife; but I thought I might as well follow the Parsee, who was -one of those fellows that go about Bombay trying what they can make of -every body they meet. I goes first to one shop, and tries things on; -and when they fit, I says, 'I will pay you to-morrow;' but the fellow -says, 'No; ready money.' Well, I was obliged to strip again: this -happened at four shops, and I was quite tired, when a good fellow, who -keeps No. 18, of the Great Bazar, said I might fit myself, and pay when -I could. I then got rigged, and stood away for Mr. Adamson, whom I had -before known. I met him at the door of his house, and he did not know -me; but when I told him my story--'Oh!' says he, quite pitiful, 'are -you the poor fellow who has suffered so much? I will get you a berth -in another ship--and take this.' So saying, he gives me one hundred -rupees. Well, I thanked him; and next goes to Captain Phillips, and got -from him a present of two gold mohurs, and six suits of good clothes, -from top to toe. He made me report and write three or four sheets about -Bate, and how I had been used; and then sent me to the governor, Mr. -Duncan, who gets all the long story from me again, and then gave me -one hundred rupees. I had now two hundred and thirty rupees and clean -rigging. I goes again to the tavern, and sings out lustily for tiffin. -Well, they look and sees I am quite a different thing from before, and -so become mighty civil and attentive. The waiter begs my pardon--says -he was mistaken--and that he had twenty rupees ready, and would give me -any aid I liked. 'D----n your aid,' says I; 'you are very ready to give -it to any person who does not want it.' It was a great treat to me to -serve him as I did: I eat my tiffin, paid for it on the table, and left -the house. - -"Well," said Peterson, "to make a long story short, I went in a China -ship, and last year got the command of a vessel belonging to a Persian -merchant, who trades to the Gulf. He was a bad owner, had no credit, -and, what with that and the fear of the Arabs, I had a troublesome time -of it. We parted; and he has got another captain, rather black to be -sure, but he likes him all the better, I suppose, from being nearer his -own vile colour than I was; and I, by this means, being along shore, -having no money or credit, am glad to come as acting-master of this -here ship. I thank God I have good health, and don't complain; many are -worse off than I am." - -Such was our master's[3] history. In a conversation I had with him, as -we were walking the deck, the day we arrived at Muscat, I asked him if -he had a wife? "No;" said he. "You were never married, then?" "I didn't -say so," he replied. "I beg your pardon," said I. "Oh! no harm, no -harm! the honest truth never need be hid: I was married: but taking a -long voyage, being away seven years, and my letters (of which, by the -by, I wrote but few) miscarrying, what does my wife do, but marries -again. This I heard when I got home to England." "And what did you do?" -said I; "did you inquire after her?" "Indeed I did not," said Peterson -with great indifference; "I didn't think her worth so much trouble; she -was glad, I suppose, to get rid of me, and, God knows, I was not sorry -to be shot of her." - -The vicissitudes to which sailors are subject train them to bear what -are termed the ups and downs of life better than any other men in the -world. They appear, when afloat, not only to leave all their cares -on shore, but to forget the hardships incident to their condition. -A remarkable instance of this was given by our captain, who told us -that he went one day to see a tender, on board which there was a great -number of men who had just been pressed, and who, though strictly -confined in their floating prison, were, nevertheless, joining in the -chorus of one of our patriotic airs, and singing with great glee the -old song:-- - - "Who are so free as we sons of the waves?" - -FOOTNOTES: - -[1] The island of Bate is situated at the north-western extremity of -the Gulf of Cutch. - -[2] Parsee is the name of the descendants of the ancient Persians, who -still retain the usages and religion of their forefathers. There are -many of these followers of Zoroaster at Bombay, where they form, if not -the most numerous, the most respectable part of the native community. - -[3] This old sailor is now no more. He continued unlucky till he found -a generous patron at Bombay, whose active benevolence gave repose and -comfort to his latter days. - - - - -CHAPTER II. - -Muscat. - - -"Land from the mast-head!" "What does it look like?" "High land, sir, -on the larboard bow, stretching away to the north-west." "Can you see -land to starboard?" "No." "Then," says the captain, with some little -swell, "we have just hit it; the watch is a good one; and three or -four hours of this will bring us into Muscat." The prediction proved -correct. Now, if I understood perspective and retrospective, how I -would delight my readers by contrasting the barren rocky hills of -Arabia, where not a trace of vegetable nature is to be found, with the -shaded shores of Ceylon, and the dark forests that clothe the lofty -mountains of Malabar! But I am not a picturesque traveller; suffice it -therefore to say, the arid hills we were now contemplating protect, -by almost encircling it, a cove, at the extremity of which is a small -plain, crowded with high houses, which form the city of Muscat. This -emporium to the trade of the Persian Gulf is defended by batteries -which command its narrow entrance, as well as by fortifications that -cover every part of the uneven and mis-shapen hills and crags around it. - -Muscat is governed by a prince whose title is Imām, and whose -authority, like that of many chiefs in Arabia, is more of a patriarchal -than despotic character. Though he has large fleets, including some -fine frigates, and a considerable army to garrison his possessions -on the coast of Africa, the shores of Arabia, and the islands of -the Persian Gulf, he must attend to the summons of any inhabitant -of Muscat who calls him to a court of justice. Your sceptics who -deny the existence of any just administration of power, except in -the commonwealth of Europe, may call this a mere form. Be it so: yet -the knowledge that such a form was observed went far, in my mind, to -mark the character of this petty government. But it is the eye, the -disposition, and the judgment of the observer, more than what is -actually seen, that stamps the condition of distant nations with those -who have to form their opinions at second-hand; and the generality of -readers, who have their happiness grounded on a natural prejudice in -favour of their own ways and usages, lean toward such as minister to -their pride and patriotism, by throwing a dark shade on all they meet -different from Old England, or some of those countries in its vicinity, -for which their good climate, cheap viands, and well flavoured wines -have created a predilection. - -The eastern hemisphere continues to have a certain venerable air with -old men from a belief that the star of knowledge first enlightened its -horizon: children delight in it from its containing the enchanting -tales of the "Thousand and one Nights;" ladies admire its flowered -muslins, rich shawls, pure pearls, and brilliant diamonds; merchants -view it as a source of commercial wealth; the naturalist, the botanist, -and the geologist, search its plains, its forests, and its mountains, -for unicorns, spikenard, splendid specimens of zeolite, and grand -basaltic formations; the English soldier looks to its fields for a -harvest of reputation; while pious missionaries sally forth with more -than military zeal, to reclaim the millions of the East from their -errors, and direct them in the path of life. - -Almost all these, however different their objects, concur in one -sentiment, that the rulers of the East are despots, and their subjects -slaves; that the former are cruel, the latter degraded and miserable, -and both equally ignorant. - -I had seen the father of the present Imām of Muscat when I accompanied -a former mission to Persia; we had been introduced to him on board the -Ganjava, his flag ship, of a thousand tons burthen, and carrying forty -guns. We found him, though surrounded with some state, very simply -attired; he had a shawl rolled round his head as a turban, and the Arab -cloak, which hung over his plain robes, was of white broadcloth, no -way ornamented; he wore no jewels, and had no arms, not even a dagger, -about his person; his manner was plain and manly, and marked his -active enterprising character. The eyes of his crew (Arabs, Nubians, -and Abyssinians), who were upon or near the quarter-deck, though they -wandered now and then among his visitors, were usually fixed on their -prince; but their countenance indicated affection, not fear; and I -could not but observe that he never looked at or spoke to any of them -but with kindness. - -During this visit, while we were sitting under the awning spread over -the deck, several captains of his largest vessels, who had just arrived -from Bussorah, came on board. The Imām was in the cabin with the -Envoy, and before he came out, I was pleased to see the hearty manner -in which these commanders saluted and were received by almost all on -board. "Salām alicum!" (Peace be with you!) was heard from all, while -every one who met a friend took his right hand, and, after shaking -it, raised it as high as his breast. What appeared singular, was the -extent of this cordial and familiar greeting; it was not limited by -those rules which are found necessary in more civilised societies. -The Arab sailor, however low his occupation, exhibited an ease and -independence in addressing the commanders, which showed that, as far as -the intercourse between man and man was concerned, he deemed himself -his equal. I asked a person sitting near me, if this familiarity did -not now and then interfere with discipline? "No," he answered; "the -line is well understood, and in cases of deviation there is a severe -punishment; for with us, Arabs, the right of addressing our superiors, -as you have now seen, is our proudest privilege, and its loss, which -would be the consequence of the abuse of it, would be deeply felt, both -as a privation and a disgrace." - -The above scene was interrupted by the opening of the cabin door, and -every one fell into his place as the Imām came upon deck. He stood -while the commanders, who had returned from their voyage, advanced in -their turns, according to their rank, and, taking his extended right -hand in both theirs, pressed it, at the same time bending their bodies -in a low bow, after which they raised their right hand in salutation -to their head, then placing it on their heart, retired backwards. The -Imām, after this ceremony was ended, seated himself, desiring us and -all his principal officers to do the same. - -We had a dinner prepared on board, of which the whole party partook; -and when we came away, I was struck, as we passed under the stern of -the vessel, by seeing some of the Imām's ladies, among whom was his -favourite wife, unveiled, looking at us with eager curiosity. They -appeared much pleased, which we imputed to the notice the Envoy had -taken of the Imām's sons, two fine boys, each of whom was gratified -with appropriate presents. - -The view I had taken of the Imām's court--the intercourse we had with -him, his sons, and chief officers--the security which I observed -merchants and other inhabitants, both Mahomedan and Hindu, enjoying -at Muscat, gave me a very pleasing impression of that place, and I -had made a sketch of the manners and customs of the people, no way -unfavourable. This I showed one day to a friend, who was a captain in -the navy, who, rather to my surprise, burst into a fit of laughter, -and said, he could show me a very opposite picture of the same scene. -"There is an order from the Admiralty," said he, "that the officers -of a man-of-war, when they visit a port little known, should describe -the manners and customs of the inhabitants. I have a blunt fellow of a -master, an excellent seaman, but who troubles himself very little with -matters on shore. Curious to have his observations, and knowing that -he had two or three times visited the town of Muscat, I insisted on -his complying with orders, and filling up the column of his journal. -He evaded this duty as long as he could: at last, in despair, he went -to his cabin, and returning with his book, said, 'There, sir, I have -obeyed orders, and you will find all I could write about these black -fellows, and all they deserve.' I took the journal and read, - - 'Inhabitants of Muscat. - -'As to manners they have none; and their customs are very beastly.'" - -This picture of the good master will no doubt be deemed by many truer -than mine; and travellers who limit their observations to the busy -beach, crowded with slaves, covered with packages of dates, blackened -with flies, and scented with putrid salt fish, will be certain to -prefer this laconic description of this rude and dirty people; or, -supposing them to enter the vile narrow streets of the town, and -see (as they may) strings of slaves walking, with a man following -and calling out their prices as he exhibits them in this ambulatory -auction:--"Number one--handsome young man, five hundred piastres; -number two--a little older, but very healthy and strong, four hundred -piastres;" and so on till he describes his whole string of unhappy -bipeds:--who would not turn with indignation and disgust from such -filth and abomination! - -If, however, we have nerve enough to look a little farther into -the scene which has been described, we shall find that the reason -why houses are crowded upon each other, till cleanliness becomes -impossible, is because men and their property are protected at this -port against injustice and oppression; and our disgust at the effect -will in a great degree be removed by contemplating the cause. Even -with regard to the sale of slaves, of which Muscat is the great mart, -though the mode of disposing of them appears to justify the master's -designation of the inhabitants as "beastly in their customs," yet when -we take a comparative view of the fate of the victims of this commerce, -from the stain of which our own country is hardly yet purified, and -which is still carried on, openly or clandestinely, by almost every -power of civilised Europe, we shall be compelled to acknowledge the -superior humanity of Asiatic nations. - -The slave in eastern countries, after he is trained to service, attains -the condition of a favoured domestic; his adoption of the religion of -his master is usually the first step which conciliates the latter. -Except at a few sea-ports, he is seldom put to hard labour. In Asia -there are no fields tilled by slaves, no manufactories in which they -are doomed to toil; their occupations are all of a domestic nature, and -good behaviour is rewarded by kindness and confidence, which raises -them in the community to which they belong. The term gholam, or slave, -in Mahomedan countries, is not one of opprobrium, nor does it even -convey the idea of a degraded condition. The Georgians, Nubians, and -Abyssinians, and even the Seedee, or Caffree, as the woolly-headed -Africans are called, are usually married, and their children, who are -termed house-born,[4] become, in a manner, part of their master's -family. They are deemed the most attached of his adherents: they often -inherit a considerable portion of his wealth; and not unfrequently -(with the exception of the woolly-headed Caffree) lose, by a marriage -in his family, or by some other equally respectable connexion, all -trace of their origin. - -According to the Mahomedan law, the state of slavery is divided into -two conditions--the perfect and absolute, or imperfect and privileged. -Those who belong to the first class are, with all their property, at -the disposal of their masters. The second, though they cannot, before -emancipation, inherit or acquire property, have many privileges, and -cannot be sold or transferred. A female, who has a child to her master, -belongs to the privileged class; as does a slave to whom his master has -promised his liberty, on the payment of a certain sum, or on his death. - -The greatest encouragement is given in the Koran,[5] and by all -commentaries on that volume, to the manumission of slaves. Mahomed -has said, "Unto such of your slaves as desire a written instrument, -allowing them to redeem themselves, on paying a certain sum, write one, -if ye know good in them, and give them of the riches of God, which he -hath given you." - -It is in obedience to this precept that pious Mahomedans often grant -small pieces of land to a slave, or teach him a profession, that he -may, through industry and frugality, attain the means of paying for -his freedom, at the same time that he acquires habits which render him -worthy of the great gift. Mahomedans are also encouraged to manumit -their slaves by the law, which gives them a title, as residuary heir, -to any property which the person to whom they may have granted freedom -dies possessed. - -On one point the slaves in Mahomedan countries are on a footing with -free females: they are only liable, for any crimes they commit, to -suffer half the punishment to which a free man would be subject. This -law proceeds on the ground of their not being supposed on a par, as -to knowledge or social ties, with other parts of the community. The -application, however, of this principle of justice to cases where the -law awards death or amputation, has puzzled the wise Moullahs, or -doctors, who have resorted to the usual remedy, of writing ponderous -volumes upon the subject; but I do not learn that they have yet -discovered a plan by which an offending woman or slave can be punished -with the loss of half a life; or an operation be performed, which will -leave them with a half-amputated limb. - -To return to Muscat: I had visited it at all seasons; it was now -winter, and the climate was pleasant; in summer, the heat is -intolerable. Shut out by the hills from every breeze, except that which -blows directly into the narrow entrance of the cove, there is seldom -a breath of air; and the reflection of the sun, from the bare rocks -and white fortifications which overhang the town and harbour, produces -a temperature, which is described by a Persian poet as giving to a -panting sinner a lively anticipation of his future destiny! - -The young Imām, Syed Sayed, was absent on an expedition; but I -regretted this the less as I had seen his father, who was, in -simplicity of manners, good sense, and courage, the equal of his -deserving son. - -Among the first who came on board, I was pleased to see my old friend, -Mahomed Gholoum. Being a good seaman, he had, on the former mission, -in the year 1800, acted as our pilot from Muscat to Ormus. He was -now advanced to be a pilot of the state, being one of the principal -ministers of the young Imām, of whose character he spoke in high -praise. "His father," said he, "was a brave man; he was killed in -battle; and if his son goes on exposing himself everywhere, he will -be killed also. He will regret much not seeing the Envoy, of whose -kindness to him when a boy he retains a grateful recollection; for he -preserves with great care the model of a seventy-four gun ship, with -which he was presented by him." - -Mahomed Gholoum was not changed by his prosperity, but retained all the -frankness and manliness of an Arab sailor. We had many old stories, and -at one, in which he was a prominent actor, he laughed very heartily. He -had wished to take our vessel, the Bombay frigate, to the southward of -Ormus; but as we neared that island, the wind headed us, as the sailors -call it, at the same time that it increased to a gale, and our pilot -told the captain we had nothing left but to run for the harbour we -desired to make, by steering between the island and the Persian shore. -We did so; the weather became worse--it blew a hurricane; the channel, -which is narrow, was missed, and we touched on a mud-bank, where the -ship settled for a moment, and the waves dashed over her. The captain -ordered more sail, to try and force her through the mud, exclaiming -at the same time, "I would rather give a lac of rupees than lose the -Company's ship." "Never mind the Company's ship," said a passenger, "so -you land us safe." The seaman in the chains kept heaving the lead, and -calling "Quarter less three." "What is the use of your quarter less -three," said an impatient landsman, "when the ship is aground?" "That's -the captain's business, not mine," said the unconcerned Jack, and again -he hove, and again he called "Quarter less three." At this moment my -attention was drawn to my friend Mahomed Gholoum, who was appalled by -an Irish officer's exclaiming, "I do not understand your vile lingo; -but I will cut your throat, (and he sawed with his finger across his -windpipe to make him comprehend what he meant,) I will cut your throat, -you ignoramus, for drowning of gentlemen in this rascally sea." - -As these scenes were passing, the press of sail which had been put upon -our vessel forced her over the bank: a few minutes more saw us safe in -the harbour of Ormus, and all our danger forgotten. Mahomed Gholoum, -quite exhausted, had, soon after we anchored, fallen asleep on a couch -in the captain's cabin; but he was dreaming of past events, and when I -shook him, to make him rise to partake of supper, he started up, and -with a wild look called out, "How many fathom have you?" We told him to -take his seat, and we would teach him, Mahomedan as he was, to fathom -a bowl. - -Soon after our arrival at Muscat, we were visited by men of all nations -and colours. I was principally attracted by the appearance and manners -of some Arabs from the interior, who were brought on board by their -countrymen to see an English ship of war. Their figures were light -and elastic, their countenances expressed quickness and energy. The -most remarkable of their features were their dark rolling eyes, which -perhaps struck me more from their wandering rapidly from one object -to another, glistening with wonder at all they saw. A good telescope -happened to be placed so as to give a complete view of one of the -farthest fortifications. I called an Arab to look through it, and he -did so for about a minute, then gazed with the most eager attention -at me, and, without saying a word, dashed over the ship's side. When -the boat he was in got to a little distance, he exclaimed, "You are -magicians, and I now see how you take towns; that thing (pointing to -the telescope), be they ever so far off, brings them as near as you -like." We were much amused with his simplicity, but no arguments could -prevail on him to return and receive such a lesson on optics as might -dispel his delusion in supposing us to be adepts in the black art. - -The Arabs at Muscat gave a luxuriant description of some beautiful -valleys about twenty miles from that town; but the result of minute -inquiry forced us to conclude that the green meadows and clear streams -they described owed much of their value to their rarity, and that the -title of Arabia the Happy is rather founded on the barrenness of the -far greater part of this renowned land, than on anything wonderful -either in the climate or productions of the tract to which it is -applied. - -FOOTNOTES: - -[4] Khāna-zādeh. - -[5] Vide Sale's Koran, vol. ii, p. 186. - - - - -CHAPTER III. - -The Persian Gulf and Abusheher. - - -When we had fairly entered the Persian Gulf I found myself on classic -ground, where all the wonderful adventures of Sinbad the sailor were, -what a genuine Yankee would call located. I sent for an Arabian -servant called Khudādād, and asked him who were the inhabitants of -the barren shore of Arabia that we saw. He answered, with apparent -alarm--"They are of the sect of Wahābees, and are called Jouassimee; -but God preserve us from them, for they are monsters. Their occupation -is piracy, and their delight murder; and to make it worse, they give -you the most pious reasons for every villainy they commit. They abide -by the letter of the sacred volume, rejecting all commentaries and -traditions. If you are their captive, and offer all you possess to save -your life, they say 'No! it is written in the Koran that it is unlawful -to plunder the living, but we are not prohibited in that sacred work -from stripping the dead;' so saying, they knock you on the head. But -then," continued Khudādād, "that is not so much their fault, for they -are descended from a Houl, or monster, and they act according to their -nature." - -I begged he would inform me about their descent. He seemed surprised -at my ignorance, and said it was a story that he thought was known to -every one in the world, but proceeded to comply with my request. - -"An Arab fisherman," said he, "who lived in a village on the Persian -Gulf, not far from Gombroon, being one day busy at his usual -occupation, found his net so heavy that he could hardly drag it on -shore. Exulting in his good fortune, he exerted all his strength: but -judge of his astonishment, when, instead of a shoal of fish, he saw -in his net an animal of the shape of a man, but covered with hair. He -approached it with caution; but finding it harmless, carried it to his -house, where it soon became a favourite; for, though it could speak no -language, and utter no sound except 'houl, houl,' (from whence it took -its name,) it was extremely docile and intelligent; and the fisherman, -who possessed some property, employed it to guard his flocks. - -"It happened one day that a hundred Persian horsemen, clothed in -complete armour, came from the interior, and began to drive away the -sheep. The Houl, who was alone, and had no arms but a club, made signs -for them to desist; but they only scoffed at his unnatural appearance, -till he slew one or two who approached too near him. They now attacked -him in a body; but his courage and strength were surpassed by his -activity, and while all fell who came within his reach, he eluded every -blow of his enemies; and they fled, after losing half their numbers. - -"The fisherman and his neighbours, when they heard of the battle, -hastened to the aid of the faithful Houl, whom they found in possession -of the horses, clothes, and arms of the vanquished Persians. An Arab -of the village, struck with his valour, and casting an eye of cupidity -at the wealth he had acquired, offered him the hand of his daughter, -who was very beautiful, and she, preferring good qualities to outward -appearance, showed no reluctance to become the bride of this kind and -gallant monster. Their marriage was celebrated with more pomp than was -ever before known in the village; and the Houl, who was dressed in one -of the richest suits of the Persians he had slain, and mounted on one -of their finest horses, looked surprisingly well. He was quite beside -himself with joy, playing such antics, and exhibiting such good humour, -strength, and agility, that his bride, who had at first been pitied, -became the envy of every fisherman's daughter. She would have been more -so, could they have foreseen the fame to which she was destined. She -had four sons, from whom are descended the four tribes of Ben Jouassim, -Ben Ahmed, Ben Nasir, and Ben Saboohil, who are to this day known by -the general name of Ben Houl, or the children of Houl. They are all -fishermen, boatmen, and pirates, and live chiefly at sea, inheriting, -it is believed, the amphibious nature of their common ancestor." - -After this tale was concluded, I asked Khudādād what kind of men -inhabited those high mountains which we saw rising on the Persian -shores of the gulf. Delighted at this second opportunity of showing his -knowledge, he replied, "They also are robbers, but they are not so bad -as the Jouassimee. They refer their first settlement in these mountains -to the devil; but then they are the children of men, and their nature -is not diabolical, though their deeds are sometimes very like it." - -On questioning Khudādād further, I found he had the popular story taken -from Firdousee,[6] and that he kept pretty near to his text; but I -shall give it in his own words. "You have heard of Zohāk, prince of -Arabia?" I said I had. "Well then," he continued, "you know he was a -very wicked man. He conquered Jemsheed, king of Persia, who was in -those days deemed the most glorious monarch on earth. After this great -success Zohāk was tempted by the devil, who allured him, under the -shape of a venerable old man, to kill his father, that he might become -king of Arabia as well as Persia. In those days men lived on vegetable -diet; but the devil, anxious to destroy as many of the human race as -he could, tempted Zohāk with some new roasted eggs, and perceiving -him to relish his food, proposed to cook him a dish of partridges and -quails, with the flavour of which the Prince was so delighted that he -bade his friend ask any favour he liked. The wily old man said all he -wished was to kiss the shoulders of his beloved monarch. They were -bared for that purpose; but no sooner had the infernal lips touched -them than out sprang from each a ravenous serpent, and at the same time -the venerable old man changed to his natural shape, and disappeared in -a thunder-storm, exclaiming that human brains alone would satisfy the -monsters he had created, and that their death would be followed by that -of Zohāk. - -"It fell out as the devil foretold: the serpents refused all other -food, and, for a period, two victims were daily slain to satisfy them. -Those charged with the preparation of this horrid repast, seeing the -devil's design, determined on frustrating it; and while they paraded -before Zohāk and his serpents the persons who were doomed to death, -they substituted the brains of sheep, and sent their supposed human -victims to the mountains of Kerman and Lauristan, where they increased, -and became a great people, and their descendants still inhabit these -hills. There can be no doubt," said Khudādād, gravely, "of the truth of -what I have told you; for it is all written in a book, and a fine poem -made upon it, which is called the Shāh-nāmeh, or Book of Kings." - -Having acquired this correct information about the shores of the gulf, -I landed at Abusheher,[7] a Persian sea-port, celebrated as the mart -of chintzes and long-ells, of dates and asafoetida. We were met on the -beach by the whole population of the town. What appeared to excite -most admiration was the light company of His Majesty's 84th Regiment, -whose uniform appearance caused no slight wonder. Struck with their -similarity of look, one man exclaimed, "These fellows must all have -had the same father and mother!" "That cannot be," said another, "for -they must all have been born on the same day." "They are proper devils, -I'll warrant them," said an old woman, who had been looking at them -very attentively. They had now received the order to march; and the -regularity with which their feet moved was a new subject of surprise. -An old merchant, called Hajee Ismael, whose life had been spent amongst -his accounts, and who delighted in everything that was regular, stood -at a corner as they passed in files, and kept saying, as he noted -them with his fingers, "correct,[8] correct, correct." Take it all in -all, our landing seemed to give great pleasure to the men, women, and -children of the port of Abusheher. - -We had not been on shore a week before two events occurred, one of -which showed what the Persians thought of us, and the other taught us -what we should think of them. - -Before the year 1800 no political mission from an European nation -had visited the court of Persia for a century; but the English, -though only known in that kingdom as merchants, had fame as soldiers, -from the report of their deeds in India. An officer of one of the -frigates, who had gone ashore to visit the Envoy, when mounted on a -spirited horse, afforded no small entertainment to the Persians by -his bad horsemanship. The next day the man who supplied the ship with -vegetables, and who spoke a little English, met him on board, and said, -"Don't be ashamed, sir, nobody knows you: bad rider! I tell them, you, -like all English, ride well, but that time they see you, very drunk!" -We were much amused at this conception of our national character. The -Persian thought it would have been a reproach for a man of a warlike -nation not to ride well, but none for an European to get drunk. - -The other occurrence was still more characteristic. The Envoy or -Elchee,[9] as the Persians called him, had, among other plans for -doing good, one for the introduction of potatoes. Among those who -listened to him, and applauded his disinterested intentions to benefit -Persia, was a fat, smooth-faced young merchant, who obtained a promise -of a considerable quantity of potatoes for seed, having (according -to his own report) rented a large piece of ground, that he might be -an humble instrument in the hands of the British Representative for -doing good. The latter, pleased with his zeal, honoured this excellent -man with such particular attention, that, conceiving himself a prime -favourite, he ventured one day to suggest that "As the season was too -far advanced for the potatoe-garden that year, it would not be unworthy -of the Elchee's wonted liberality to commute his intended present for -a pair of pistols, or a piece of British broadcloth." This premature -disclosure of the real object of this professed improver of the soil -produced no little ridicule, in which his countrymen, who were jealous -of the favour he had enjoyed, joined most heartily. He was known till -the day of his death, which happened three years ago, by the name of -Potatoes. It is satisfactory to add, that the plan for introducing this -valuable root did not fail: they were found to flourish at Abusheher, -where they are called "Malcolm's[10] plum," after the Elchee, who looks -to the accident which gave his name to a useful vegetable as one of his -best chances of enduring fame. - -The English factory, which had long been at Gombroon, had been removed -some years before to Abusheher. All the old servants had accompanied -it, and one, of the name of Suffer, had recently died, of whom I was -delighted to hear, from the best authority, an anecdote, which did -credit to the kindness of our countrymen, while it showed that even in -this soil, good usage will generate strong and lasting attachment. When -poor Suffer, who had been fifty years a servant in the factory, was on -his death-bed, the English doctor ordered him a glass of wine. He at -first refused it, saying, "I cannot take it; it is forbidden in the -Koran." But after a few moments he begged the doctor to give it him, -saying, as he raised himself in his bed, "Give me the wine; for it is -written in the same volume, that all you unbelievers will be excluded -from Paradise; and the experience of fifty years teaches me to prefer -your society in the other world, to any place unto which I can be -advanced with my own countrymen." He died a few hours after this sally, -which I was glad to observe proved of value to his son, a rough-looking -lad named Derveish, who was introduced by the Resident to the Envoy, at -the time the former told the story of the father's attachment. Derveish -was taken into service, and I have watched his gradual advancement till -he has become the proprietor of a large boat, which is the ne plus -ultra of the ambition of an Abusheheree. - -The natives of this place are almost all of Arab race, and fond of -the sea; a propensity the more remarkable, as it is in such strong -contrast with the disposition of the Persians, of whom all classes have -an unconquerable antipathy to that element. But this is not the only -characteristic distinction between these classes of men, who appear to -agree in nothing but in dwelling in the same town. The Persians, who -have been tempted by the hope of gain to exchange the fine climate of -the elevated plains of the interior, for the sea-ports on the edge of -the sultry desert, which forms the shores of the gulf, retain all the -smooth pliant manners of their country; and they look with disgust on -what they deem the rude barbarous habits of the Arabians, who are the -great body of the inhabitants of this track, and who can scarcely be -distinguished, either in look or sentiment, from their kindred on the -opposite shore. - -A remarkable instance of the difference of character, between the lower -orders of these two classes, occurred one morning, when the Envoy was -preparing a match, to be run by a beautiful English greyhound called -Venus, and a strong Arabian dog named Kessāb, or the Butcher. He was -giving directions to his master of the chase, Hyder, and expressing his -sanguine hopes of Venus's success: Mahomed Beg, a tall well-dressed -Persian groom, assented to all his anticipations, saying, "What -pretensions can that Arab dog have to run with the beautiful greyhound -of the Elchee?" - -Others joined in the same language, and the opinion appeared -general, when an Arab, called Gherreeba,[11] whose pay was only four -piastres[12] a month, whose chequered turban and cloth round his middle -were not worth one, and whose occupation was sitting all day exposed to -the sun, watering some grass screens that were placed against the door -of the house to exclude the heat--darted up, and, with an eye of fire -and the most marked energy, exclaimed, "By the all-powerful God, the -Arab dog will triumph."[13] - -Gherreeba was for the moment the representative of the feelings of -his country. The parasites around stood watching the Elchee, and -were not a little mortified when they heard him applaud the honest -warmth and manly independence of the poor Arab, who was invited to -witness the trial. It ended, like most similar trials, in each party -being convinced that their own favourite was, or ought to have been, -the winner. The dogs ran as usual beautifully: Venus was by far the -fleetest; but the chase, which was after a half-grown antelope, proved -long, and the strength of the Butcher prevailed towards the close. It -is however, justice to the deer species, while we are praising the -canine, to add, that the antelope beat them both. - -FOOTNOTES: - -[6] Firdousee is the first of the epic poets of Persia, and few -countries can boast of a greater genius. His chief work, the -Shāh-nāmeh, or Book of Kings, contains, mixed with allegory and fable, -almost all the Persians know of their ancient history. - -[7] Abusheher is the proper name, but it is better known to Europeans -by the abbreviated appellation of Bushire. - -[8] "Hissab," the Persian word, literally means an account; -metaphorically, "correct, or according to a just account." - -[9] Elchee means ambassador, or representative of a foreign nation. - -[10] Alou, e, Malcolm. - -[11] Gherreeb means poor--this man was really so; but it is not unusual -to meet Mahomedans, who are remarkable for their rank, pride, or -wealth, with names of similar character, that have been given by their -mothers in a spirit of religious humility. - -[12] The value of a piastre is about twenty pence. - -[13] Billāh il azeem yadhfar al Arab. - - - - -CHAPTER IV. - -Camp at Abusheher--Horses--Abdūlla Aga--Anecdote of Arab. - - -Soon after we arrived at Abusheher our camp looked like a fair for -horses and mules. It was necessary to mount, not only the Elchee and -his suite, but his escort of English and Indian cavalry, and all the -servants, public and private; for in Persia nobody walks. To suit the -different persons of our party, animals of different descriptions were -wanted; from the coarse Persian galloway[14] to the Arabian of pure -strain,[15] many of which are bred on the Persian shore, with as much -attention to preserve the original blood, as imported from Arabia, as -could be shown in the first race-studs in England. - -Hyder, the Elchee's master of the chase, was the person who imparted -knowledge to me on all subjects relating to Arabian horses. He would -descant by the hour on the qualities of a colt that was yet untried, -but which, he concluded, must possess all the perfections of its sire -and dam, with whose histories, and that of their progenitors, he was -well acquainted. Hyder had shares in five or six famous brood mares; -and he told me a mare was sometimes divided amongst ten or twelve -Arabs, which accounted for the groups of half-naked fellows whom I saw -watching, with anxiety, the progress made by their managing partner -in a bargain for one of the produce. They often displayed, on these -occasions, no small violence of temper; and I have more than once -observed a party leading off their ragged colt in a perfect fury, at -the blood of Daghee or Shumehtee, or some renowned sire or grandsire, -being depreciated by an inadequate offer, from an ignorant Indian or -European. - -The Arabs place still more value on their mares than on their horses; -but even the latter are sometimes esteemed beyond all price. When the -Envoy, returning from his former mission, was encamped near Bagdad, -an Arab rode a bright bay horse, of extraordinary shape and beauty, -before his tent, till he attracted his notice. On being asked if -he would sell him--"What will you give me?" said he. "It depends -upon his age; I suppose he is past five?" "Guess again," was the -reply. "Four?" "Look at his mouth," said the Arab, with a smile. On -examination he was found rising three; this, from his size and perfect -symmetry, greatly enhanced his value. The Envoy said, "I will give you -fifty tomans."[16] "A little more, if you please," said the fellow, -apparently entertained. "Eighty! a hundred!" He shook his head and -smiled. The offer came at last to two hundred tomans! "Well," said the -Arab, seemingly quite satisfied, "you need not tempt me any farther--it -is of no use; you are a fine Elchee; you have fine horses, camels, and -mules, and I am told you have loads of silver and gold: now," added he, -"you want my colt, but you shall not have him for all you have got." So -saying he rode off to the desert, whence he had come, and where he, no -doubt, amused his brethren with an account of what had passed between -him and the European Envoy. - -Inquiry was made of some officers of the Pasha of Bagdad respecting -this young man; they did not know him, but conjectured that, -notwithstanding his homely appearance, he was the son or brother of a -chief, or perhaps himself the head of a family; and such Arabs, they -said, when in comparative affluence, no money could bribe to sell a -horse like the one described. - -I was one day relating the above story to Abdūlla Aga, the former -governor of Bussorah, who was at Abusheher, having been obliged to fly -from Turkey. He told me that, when in authority, he several times had -great trouble in adjusting disputes among Arab tribes regarding a horse -or mare which had been carried off by one of them from another; not on -account of the value of the animals, that having been often offered -ten-fold, but from jealousy of their neighbour's becoming possessed of -a breed of horses which they desired to remain exclusively in their -own tribe. An Arab Shaikh or chief, he told me, who lived within fifty -miles of Bussorah, had a favourite breed of horses. He lost one of his -best mares, and could not for a long time discover whether she was -stolen or had strayed. Some time afterwards, a young man of a different -tribe, who had long wished to marry his daughter, but had always -been rejected by the Shaikh, obtained the lady's consent and eloped -with her. The Shaikh and his followers pursued; but the lover and -his mistress, mounted on the same horse, made a wonderful march, and -escaped. The old chief swore that the fellow was either mounted upon -the devil or the favourite mare he had lost. After his return he found, -on inquiry, the latter was the case; that the lover was the thief of -his mare as well as of his daughter, and that he had stolen the one for -the purpose of carrying off the other. He was quite gratified to think -he had not been beaten by a horse of another breed, and was easily -reconciled to the young man, in order that he might recover the mare, -which appeared an object about which he was more solicitous than his -daughter. - -Abdūlla Aga is a man in whose company I take great pleasure. His -understanding is vigorous and strong, and he has sufficient knowledge -of the English character to speak his sentiments with freedom and -confidence. I shall give the substance of a conversation I had with -him about two weeks after my arrival, regarding the present condition -of Persia and Turkey, with the resources and character of both which -states he is intimately acquainted. Speaking of Turkey, he said he had -no idea of its having the power to resist the slightest attack; and he -believed, if left alone, it would soon fall to pieces of itself.--"I -am myself a Turk, and know my countrymen well: from the Grand Signior -to the lowest peasant in the empire, they are alike devoid of public -virtue and patriotism; and that spirit of religion, which has long been -the only bond of union that has kept this unwieldy state together, is -every day becoming fainter; and while the Wahābees are making converts -of the inhabitants of Arabia and Syria, the provinces of Turkey in -Europe are relaxing from their religious zeal, and becoming every day -more ripe for the rule of those Christian nations, under whose power -they must soon fall." - -I could not help saying, I thought he drew an overcharged picture of -the weak and distracted state of his country. "You will soon see," he -said, "whether I am right or wrong. No man, whatever may be his rank, -looks beyond his beard in Turkey: if he can find any expedient that -gives him a prospect of its growing grey in quiet, he is content; and -where all are so decidedly selfish in their views, who is to provide -for the safety of the state, to guard which there must be some common -sentiment of union?" - -"What think you of Persia?" I asked. "Why, twenty times worse than of -Turkey," replied he; "because they are to the full as devoid of every -public principle, and much more ignorant. Believe me, you will soon -be satisfied that they deserve this character. Can there be a doubt, -at the present moment, how they ought to act between you and the -French? And yet you will be able to settle nothing with them that is -in the least satisfactory, without heavy bribes or harsh measures. The -latter," he added, "will be the wisest in the present instance; for to -feed their cupidity is only to whet their appetite, and to encourage -them in a course that will, in its result, prove as injurious to these -short-sighted fools as to the interests of the English government." - -"The Elchee's intentions are so friendly," I observed in reply, "and -his wishes so correspond with their true interests, that they must, I -think, meet them, when all the advantages are explained." "Before you -anticipate success from such an explanation, you should be certain -that those to whom you speak have sense to comprehend you, which the -Persians certainly have not. They think of nothing at this moment -but the Russians, with whom they have discovered they are not able -to contend. The French pretend to relieve them from this formidable -danger, which they have not themselves the courage to face; and they -cling to this promise without ever considering how far those who make -it have the means of performing it. They neither understand the nature -or distance of the resources of England or France, and are consequently -incapable of forming a correct idea of the comparative power which -those states possess of aiding or injuring them. They know that Bombay -is within a month's sail, Madras six weeks, and Calcutta two months; -and they believe you have some ships at these places; but even of these -they have no clear idea; and as to Europe, they are as ignorant as an -Abyssinian." - -"Assuredly," said I, "you underrate their knowledge." "I do not," said -Abdūlla; "they are worse than I have painted them, and their ignorance -is so fortified by pride, that there is no hope of their amendment. -Why (said he, with animation), what can you expect from men who are -ignorant of the surface of the globe? There," said he, pointing to a -rude Turkish book on geography, which lay near him, and appeared to -be a translation from an old geographical grammar--"there is the only -source of my knowledge, which does not place me on a par with one of -your schoolboys of twelve years of age; and yet I am a wonder among -these fools, who are astonished at the extent of my information in this -branch of science." - -Though I think it is a very deep and wise observation of that arch -politician Machiavel, that the report of a man who has fled his country -should not be implicitly trusted, as there must be a bias in his mind -to depreciate what he has been obliged to abandon: still there is much -truth in the picture which Abdūlla drew of Turkey, and his description -of the Persians was not greatly exaggerated. The knowledge of that -nation is limited to what they see before them, and their ideas of -other States are very indistinct and confused, and consequently liable -to frequent fluctuations and changes. All ranks in Persia are brought -up to admire show and parade; and they are more likely to act from the -dictates of imagination and vanity, than of reason and judgment. Their -character was well drawn by Mahomed Nubbee Khan, the late ambassador -to India. "If you wish my countrymen to understand you, speak to their -eyes, not their ears." - -My conversation with Abdūlla Aga was interrupted by the arrival of a -medical gentleman, who had long resided at Abusheher, and who was not -more remarkable for skill in his profession than a kindness of heart, -which led him to devote his time to the poor inhabitants of the country -who sought his aid. He had just been setting the broken leg of an Arab, -of whom he gave us a very characteristic anecdote. - -"The patient," the doctor said, "complained more of the accident which -had befallen him than I thought becoming in one of his tribe. This -I remarked to him, and his answer was truly amusing. 'Do not think, -doctor, I should have uttered one word of complaint if my own high-bred -colt, in a playful kick, had broke both my legs; but to have a bone -broken by a brute of a jackass is too bad, and I will complain.'" - -This distinction of feeling, as to the mode in which bones are broken, -is not confined to the Arabs. I once met an artilleryman, after an -action in India, with his arm shattered, who was loudly lamenting his -bad fortune. I pointed, in an upbraiding manner, to some fine fellows -on the ground, whose luck had been worse. "It is not the wound, sir," -he retorted, in a passion, "of which I complain: had I lost a limb by -a cannon-ball, I should not have said a word; but to lose one by a -rascally rocket would make any one mad!" - -FOOTNOTES: - -[14] Yaboo. - -[15] _Regee Pak_, the term by which these high-bred animals are -distinguished, means literally "pure veins." - -[16] A toman is a nominal coin, nearly the value of a pound sterling. - - - - -CHAPTER V. - - Hunting and Hawking--Entertainment of the - Shaikh--Tollemache--Mirage--Nadir Shāh and Turkish Ambassador. - - -We were kept several weeks at Abusheher; and among other amusements -by which we beguiled the tedium of our sojourn at this dull sea-port, -were those of hunting and hawking; which, according to the Nimrods of -our party, are nowhere found in greater perfection: but as the mode -of killing the game differs essentially from that of other countries, -I shall describe it, that such sportsmen as can read may judge of its -merits. - -The huntsmen proceed to a large plain, or rather desert, near the -sea-side: they have hawks and greyhounds; the former carried in the -usual manner, on the hand of the huntsman; the latter led in a leash by -a horseman, generally the same who carries the hawk. When the antelope -is seen, they endeavour to get as near as possible; but the animal, the -moment it observes them, goes off at a rate that seems swifter than -the wind; the horsemen are instantly at full speed, having slipped the -dogs. If it is a single deer, they at the time fly the hawks; but if a -herd, they wait till the dogs have fixed on a particular antelope. The -hawks, skimming along near the ground, soon reach the deer, at whose -head they pounce in succession, and sometimes with a violence that -knocks it over. At all events, they confuse the animal so much as to -stop its speed in such a degree that the dogs can come up; and in an -instant men, horses, dogs, and hawks, surround the unfortunate deer, -against which their united efforts have been combined. The part of the -chase that surprised me most was the extraordinary combination of the -hawks and the dogs, which throughout seemed to look to each other for -aid. This, I was told, was the result of long and skilful training. - -The antelope is supposed to be the fleetest quadruped on earth, and -the rapidity of the first burst of the chase I have described is -astonishing. The run seldom exceeds three or four miles, and often is -not half so much. A fawn is an easy victory; the doe often runs a good -chase, and the buck is seldom taken. The Arabs are, indeed, afraid -to fly their hawks at the latter, as these fine birds, in pouncing, -frequently impale themselves on its sharp horns. - -The hawks used in this sport are of a species that I have never seen in -any other country. This breed, which is called Cherkh, is not large, -but of great beauty and symmetry. - -Another mode of running down the antelope is practised here, and still -more in the interior of Persia. Persons of the highest rank lead their -own greyhounds in a long silken leash, which passes through the collar, -and is ready to slip the moment the huntsman chooses. The well-trained -dog goes alongside the horse, and keeps clear of him when at full -speed, and in all kinds of country. When a herd of antelopes is seen, -a consultation is held, and the most experienced determine the point -towards which they are to be driven. The field (as an English sportsman -would term it) then disperse, and while some drive the herd in the -desired direction, those with the dogs take their post on the same -line, at the distance of about a mile from each other; one of the worst -dogs is then slipped at the herd, and from the moment he singles out -an antelope the whole body are in motion. The object of the horsemen -who have greyhounds is to intercept its course, and to slip fresh dogs, -in succession, at the fatigued animal. In rare instances the second -dog kills. It is generally the third or fourth; and even these, when -the deer is strong, and the ground favourable, often fail. This sport, -which is very exhilarating, was the delight of the late King of Persia, -Aga Mahomed Khan, whose taste is inherited by the present Sovereign. - -The novelty of these amusements interested me, and I was pleased, on -accompanying a party to a village, about twenty miles from Abusheher, -to see a species of hawking, peculiar, I believe, to the sandy plains -of Persia, on which the Hubara,[17] a noble species of bustard is found -on almost bare plains, where it has no shelter but a small shrub called -geetuck. When we went in quest of them we had a party of about twenty, -all well mounted. Two kinds of hawks are necessary for this sport; the -first, the cherkh (the same which is flown at the antelope), attacks -them on the ground, but will not follow them on the wing; for this -reason, the Bhyree, a hawk well known in India, is flown the moment the -hubara rises. - -As we rode along in an extended line, the men who carried the cherkhs -every now and then unhooded and held them up, that they might look -over the plain. The first hubara we found afforded us a proof the -astonishing quickness of sight of one of the hawks; he fluttered to be -loose, and the man who held him gave a whoop, as he threw him off his -hand, and set off at full speed. We all did the same. At first we only -saw our hawk skimming over the plain, but soon perceived, at a distance -of more than a mile the beautiful speckled hubara, with his head erect, -and wings outspread, running forward to meet his adversary. The cherkh -made several unsuccessful pounces, which were either evaded or repelled -by the beak or wings of the hubara, which at last found an opportunity -of rising, when a bhyree was instantly flown, and the whole party were -again at full gallop. We had a flight of more than a mile, when the -hubara alighted, and was killed by another cherkh, who attacked him on -the ground. This bird weighed ten pounds. We killed several others, -but were not always successful, having seen our hawks twice completely -beaten during the two days we followed this fine sport. - -The inhabitants of the country over which we hunted are all Arabs. -They live, like their brethren in other parts, almost entirely on -camels' milk and dates. Their care appears limited to the preservation -of the animal and the propagation of the tree, which yield what they -account the best of this world's luxuries; and these not only furnish -this lively race of men with food, but with almost all the metaphors -in which their language abounds. Of this we had an amusing instance: -amongst others who accompanied the Elchee on this sporting expedition -was a young officer, who measured six feet seven inches: he, like -others, had lain down to take an hour's repose, between our morning and -evening hunt. An old Arab who was desired to awake him, smiling, said -to his servant, "Entreat your date-tree to rise." We had a hearty laugh -at our friend, who was not at first quite reconciled to this comparison -of his commanding stature to the pride of the desert. - -If we were amused by the field-diversions of the Persians and Arabs, -they were equally so with our mode of hunting. The Elchee had brought -a few couples of English fox-hounds, intending them as a present to -the heir-apparent, Abbas Meerzā. With this small pack we had several -excellent runs. One morning we killed a fox, after a very hard chase; -and while the rest of the party were exulting in their success, cutting -off poor reynard's brush, praising the hounds, adding some two feet -to a wall their horses had cleared, laughing at those who had got -tumbles, and recounting many a hair-breadth escape, I was entertained -by listening to an Arab peasant, who, with animated gestures, was -narrating to a group of his countrymen all he had seen of this noble -hunt. "There went the fox," said he, pointing with a crooked stick to -a clump of date-trees; "there he went at a great rate; I hallooed, and -hallooed, but nobody heard me, and I thought he must get away; but -when he was quite out of sight, up came a large spotted dog, and then -another and another; they all had their noses on the ground, and gave -tongue, whow, whow, whow, so loud that I was frightened:--away went -these devils, who soon found the poor animal; after them galloped the -Faringees[18], shouting and trying to make a noise louder than the -dogs: no wonder they killed the fox among them; but it is certainly -fine sport. Our Shaikh has no dogs like these." This last remark was -assented to by all present, and the possession of a breed of dogs, -which their Shaikh had not, added not a little, in the eyes of those -peasants, to the character of the mission. - -We were now busy preparing to leave Abusheher. Before we took our -departure, the Shaikh gave the Elchee and his suite an entertainment. -Among other subjects of conversation at this feast, the name of the -Derveish Abdūlla, who had some years before visited that port, and -sailed for India, was mentioned. I smiled as they related stories of -his sanctity and learning, and still more as I found different parties, -a Turk, a Persian, and an Arab, contending for the honour their country -derived from his belonging to it. "You have only to hear him speak, and -repeat poetry," said Hajee Ismael, "to be certain he is a Persian." -"It is his recital of passages of the Koran that convinces me he is an -Arab," said the Shaikh. "You may say what you like," said Abdūlla Aga, -"but no man but a native of Turkey ever spoke Turkish like Derveish -Abdūlla." - -At this part of the conversation I put in my word, and said, "Really, -gentlemen, you are all mistaken; the far-famed Derveish you mention is -a Frenchman, his real name is Tollemache, and I know him well." It was -not a mere smile of incredulity with which they listened. The remark I -had made, while it received not the least credit, excited unpleasant -feelings, and a friend near me whispered that it was better to abstain -from the subject. - -The following is a short history of this remarkable individual, who has -attained such a perfection in the languages and manners of the natives -of Asia as to deceive the most learned. - -Mons. Tollemache, the son of a Dragoman at Constantinople, was many -years ago recommended to Mr. Warren Hastings, who patronised him; but -a quarrel, in which he was involved, at Calcutta, led to his leaving -that city and going to the north-western part of India, from whence he -went into the countries of Cabool, Khorassan, and Persia, and was lost -trace of by his European friends for twelve years. His latter name in -Persia was the Derveish Abdūlla, under which he became renowned for his -piety and learning. He had officiated as first reader of prayers[19] -before the late King, who honoured him with his favour. He came to -Abusheher, from whence he went to Surat, where, after his overtures of -service to the English government had been refused, he proceeded to -the Isle of France, and is mentioned in Lord Wellesley's notes as the -person employed there with Tippoo Sultan's Ambassadors. On proceeding -afterwards to the Red Sea he was made prisoner by Admiral Blanket, and -sent to Bombay, where I became acquainted with him at the house of a -friend with whom he resided. - -The memory of Tollemache was stored with rare Persian poems and songs: -his conversation was, from his various knowledge, very entertaining. -Of his power to assume any Asiatic character, the following anecdote -will suffice. He had been dilating on his success in deceiving natives -of the countries through which he passed, and observed me to be rather -incredulous. I had not remarked his leaving the room some minutes -before I did, but, when driving out of the gate, I was so annoyed by -the importunities of a Mahomedan mendicant, who was almost naked, that -I abused him, and threatened to use my whip, if he did not desist, -when the fellow burst into a fit of laughter, and asked me if I so -soon forgot my acquaintances? I could hardly credit my eyes and ears -on recognising Tollemache; and the recollection of this occurrence -prevented me saying more to my friends at the Shaikh's party, whom I -left in the belief that the holy Abdūlla was a saint upon earth. - -The first march from Abusheher we had to pass over a desert plain of -considerable extent, on which I amused myself by watching narrowly the -various changes, as we were near or remote from it, of that singular -vapour, called by the French Mirage, and by the Arabs and Persians -Sirab. - -The influence of this vapour in changing the figure of objects is very -extraordinary; it sometimes gives to those seen through it the most -fantastical shapes; and, as a general effect, I think it always appears -to elevate and make objects seem much taller than they really are. A -man, for instance, seen through it at the distance of a mile and a half -upon the level plain appears to be almost as tall as a date tree. - -Its resemblance to water is complete, and justifies all the metaphors -of poets, and their tales of thirsty and deluded travellers. - -The most singular quality of this vapour is its power of reflection. -When a near observer is a little elevated, as on horseback, he will -see trees and other objects reflected as from the surface of a lake. -The vapour, when seen at a distance of six or seven miles, appears to -lie upon the earth like an opaque mass; and it certainly does not -rise many feet above the ground, for I observed, that while the lower -part of the town of Abusheher was hid from the view, some of the more -elevated buildings, and the tops of a few date trees, were distinctly -visible. - -Among the presents for his majesty of Persia were two light -field-pieces, to which were attached a select detachment of -horse-artillery. Great care was taken to equip this party in the best -style; and as they had a difficult march to perform, they were sent in -advance, under the tall officer who has been already mentioned. Our -third stage to Dalkhee was so rough and stony, that we were alarmed -lest we should hear bad accounts of their progress; but our fears were -all dissipated by the reports of the villagers. - -"Their fathers," they said "had never seen such guns, nor such a young -man as their officer." "Why," said an old Moullah, "I have often seen -our guns; they move only a few yards in an hour, though dragged by a -hundred oxen and a hundred men, and at every step the air resounds with -'Yā Allah! yā Allah!' (O God! O God!) my countrymen being obliged to -invoke Heaven to help them in their heavy work; but your young officer -(who is himself a wonder in size) jumps upon his horse and cries 'tap, -tap,' and away trot the guns like feathers. We all came to look at him -and his guns, and stared till we were tired; and every one expressed -his admiration. As for me, I have commenced a poem upon the party." The -Elchee, who had been laughing, looked grave at this threat of a kesseda -or ode; for he is already overwhelmed with such compositions: every man -in Persia who can make two lines rhyme in praise of the Mission being -anxious to change, so soon as possible, the product of his imagination -into solid piastres. - -All our baggage and camp equipage was carried upon mules; and no -country can boast of finer animals of this description than Persia. -They carry heavy burdens, and travel great distances, at a rate of -better than four miles an hour. They go in strings; and I was amused to -see them, when at the end of the march and unloaded, tied in circles, -going after each other, at their usual pace, till they were cool. - -The Khater-bashee, or master of the mules, is a person of the greatest -importance. This class of men are generally known by the strength of -their frame, and, above all, of their lungs, which are continually -exercised in consigning man and beast to every species of torment and -evil, both in this world and the next. On the first mission to Persia -we had a mule-driver called Hajee Hāshem, who, from his strength and -temper, was the terror of caravans. This man, on our second day's -march, anxious to unload his mules, refused to pay any attention to -the injunctions of Peter, the Elchee's steward, and carelessly cast a -box containing glass upon some loose stones, at the hazard of breaking -its contents. Peter, who had been educated on board a man-of-war, and -was a very stout fellow, irritated beyond bearing at this treatment of -his pantry ware, seized Hajee by the waist, and before he had time to -make an effort, cast him over the animal he had so rudely unloaded; and -while the astonished mule-driver lay sprawling, and not yet knowing -whether his bones were broken, Peter, calling his interpreter, a -Persian servant, who had learned a little English at Bombay--"Tell -that fellow," he said, in a voice which showed his rage was only half -expended, "it is lucky for him that his bones are not so brittle as my -glass, of which he will take better care another time." - -Having witnessed this scene, I anticipated a complaint to the Elchee; -but what was my surprise to learn, that Hajee Hāshem had petitioned to -be exclusively attached, with his mules, to Peter's department! He was -so; they continued always the best of friends; and no disappointment -could be greater than that of the old Hajee, when he came to furnish -cattle for the second mission, at finding his ally Peter was not of the -party. - -The ground of Hajee Hāshem's attachment to his friend may be deemed -extraordinary; but had the master muleteer been a historian, he might -have pleaded high authority in his own country, for valuing another for -superiority in the rough qualities in which he himself excelled. - -The emperor of Constantinople, Mahmood the Fifth, the great rival -of Nadir Shāh, desiring to humble the vanity of that conqueror, and -knowing he valued himself more on his superior bodily power and -stentorian voice that on any other qualities selected, as an Envoy to -Persia, a porter, of extraordinary personal strength and most powerful -lungs. - -The Envoy had merely charge of a letter, which he was told to deliver -in person to the king, to require an answer, and return. The fame of -this remarkable diplomatist preceded him; and Nadir was advised not -to receive him, as his deputation was deemed an insult. But curiosity -overcame all other considerations, and he was introduced one day that -there was a very full court. - -When the Turk approached the throne, Nadir, assuming his fiercest look, -and exerting his voice to the utmost, said, "What do you desire of me?" -Almost all started, and the hall vibrated to the sound; but the Envoy, -with an undaunted air, and in a voice of thunder which made Nadir's -appear like the treble of a child, exclaimed, "Take that letter, and -give me an answer, that I may return to my master." - -The court were in amazement; all eyes were turned on Nadir, whose -frowning countenance gradually relaxed into a smile, and, turning to -his courtiers, he said, "After all, the fellow certainly has merit." He -was outdone, but he could not help, like Hajee Hāshem, respecting in -another the qualities he valued in himself. - -Nadir is stated to have retorted the intended insult, by saying to the -Envoy, when he gave him leave to depart, "Tell Mahmood I am glad to -find he has one man in his dominions, and has had the good sense to -send him here, that we may be satisfied of the fact." - -FOOTNOTES: - -[17] The Hubara usually weighs from seven to eleven pounds. On its -head is a tuft of black and white feathers; the back of the head and -neck are spotted black; the side of the head and throat are white, -as well as the under part of the body; the breast is slate-coloured; -the feathers of the wing are greenish brown, speckled with black; the -bill of a very dark grey; and on each side of the neck is a large and -handsome tuft of feathers, black and white alternately. - -[18] Faringee, which is a corruption of Frank is the name given to an -European over all Asia. - -[19] Paish Namaz. - - - - -CHAPTER VI. - - Elchee's Lectures--Mehmandar's Journal--Arab - Nurse--Blue-beard--Persian Ceremony--King's Picture. - - -The Elchee, from the moment we landed in Persia, has been lecturing us -on the importance of the conduct of every individual, as connected with -a just impression of the national character. "These Persians," said he -to us one day, "have no knowledge beyond their country; they understand -no language but their own and Arabic; and though all the better classes -read, the books to which they have access afford them little if any -information, except of Asia. Europe, in fact, is only known by name, -and by general and confused accounts of the fame of its nations, and -their comparative greatness. They are, however," he added, "a very -keen and observing people, and full of curiosity. In the absence of -books, they will peruse us, and from what they hear and see, form their -opinion of our country. Let us take care, therefore, that nothing is -found in the page but what is for the honour of England; and believe me -that, with such a people, more depends upon personal impressions than -treaties." - -With these sentiments, every word and act was shaped by him, and, so -far as he could command and influence them, by others, to raise the -English character. It was not enough that we were to give an example of -all kinds of good qualities, but we were to be active and capable of -fatigue, to show the Persians we were soldiers. The Envoy or Elchee, -as they called him, happened to have a robust form, and a passion for -shooting and hunting. It was, therefore, nothing more than an amusement -to him to ride fifty or sixty miles of a morning, that he might surpass -his Mehmandar or entertainer in his own line, but it was far otherwise -to many of his suite. I did not like it; and a near relation of his, -who was rather weak, and, like me, of sedentary habits, used to inveigh -bitterly against these "political rides," as he scoffingly termed -them. There was, however, some sense in the Elchee's proceedings, as I -discovered, when an intimacy with our old Mehmandar, Mahomed Sheriff -Khan, a Burgashattee,[20] led to his showing me a journal he had -written for the information of the court by whom he was deputed, in -order to enable them to judge, by the aid of his observations, what -kind of a person and nation they had to deal with. I shall transcribe -the passage, which was literally as follows:-- - -"The Elchee and the English gentlemen with him, rise at dawn of day; -they mount their horses and ride for two or three hours, when they -come home and breakfast. From that time till four o'clock, when they -dine, the Elchee is either looking at horses, conversing, reading, or -writing; he never lies down, and, if he has nothing else to do, he -walks backwards and forwards before his tent-door, or within it. He -sits but a short time at dinner, mounts his horse again in the evening, -and when returned from his ride, takes tea, after which he converses, -or plays at cards till ten o'clock, when he retires to rest; and next -day pursues nearly the same course. - -"What I chiefly remark is, that neither he nor any of the gentlemen -sleep during the day, nor do they ever, when the weather is warm, -recline upon carpets as we do. They are certainly very restless -persons; but when it is considered that these habits cause their -employing so much more time every day in business, and in acquiring -knowledge, than his Majesty's subjects, it is evident that at the -end of a year they must have some advantage. I can understand, from -what I see, better than I could before, how this extraordinary people -conquered India. My office is very fatiguing, for the Elchee, though -a good-natured man, has no love of quiet, and it is my duty to be -delighted with all he does, and to attend him on all occasions." - -This journal was written upon observations made before we left -Abusheher. The poor old Mehmandar was compelled, soon after we marched, -to slack in his constant attendance; for, as the Elchee's duty and -inclination coincided, he was seldom satisfied with a stage of twenty -or thirty miles, but usually went out in the evening of the same day -to hunt, which, no doubt, made the desired impression, and led the -Persians in his suite to think, if the English, in very sport, so -harassed their friends, what would become of their enemies? - -My friend, Mahomed Sheriff Khan, was, as appears from his journal, a -keen observer. He had the reputation of being a good soldier; but his -distinguishing feature was pride in his condition as the chief of a -tribe, and as representing, in his person, a portion of the authority -of the King of Kings! This pride, however, which often flamed forth in -real or assumed rage, was much regulated in its action by a regard for -his own interests. He was always civil to the Elchee, and those with -him, but to all upon whom his office gave him claims his demeanour was -haughty and overbearing, till soothed by concession or bribes. I met -the Mehmandar one morning, with a man leading a beautiful Arab colt, to -which he pointed, saying, "That old scoundrel, Shaikh Nasser (Governor -of Abusheher), had very nearly deprived me of that animal." "What!" -said I, "could he venture to take him from you?" "No," said he; "the -horse was his; but he had concealed him so carefully that I was near -going away without getting him. I heard of him before I left Shiraz, -and have been on the search ever since I came to Abusheher. I have just -found him, hidden in an inner room, covered with dirt: and then to hear -how the old fool whined about this colt of his favourite Daghee,[21] as -he called him. He meant him, he said, to mount his son, a puny wretch, -who was standing by, entreating me to listen to his father's prayer, -and not to take away their only favourite; to save which, they offered -several useless animals and some money. But I laughed out loud," -concluded Mahomed Sheriff Khan, stroking his grizzly beard, "and said, -they knew little of an old wolf like me, if they thought I was to be -moved by their bleating, or tricked by their cunning. 'Go,' said I to -the old Shaikh, 'and build a boat for that hopeful heir of yours; it -will befit him better than a horse like this, which is only suited for -a son of mine to ride upon.'" - -I soon afterwards saw old Shaikh Nasser moving slowly along, muttering -his usual phrase, "There's no harm done:[22] Persian scoundrels, Arab -fools, all will go to hell together! God is just!--Well, well, there's -no harm done." I spoke to him--he took no notice, but went to his usual -seat to superintend some carpenters, who were building a vessel which -had been on the stocks about seventy years; there his smothered passion -found vent in the most virulent abuse of all his tribe who approached -him. When I spoke to him some time afterwards, he seemed in better -humour. "This ship," said he, pointing to the ribs of the rude vessel, -"will be finished some day or other, and she will hold us all: there is -no harm done." - -Mahomed Sheriff Khan used to laugh at his own habits, which he deemed -less personal than belonging to his condition. One day, when riding -through the streets, he observed me looking significantly at his -Tūrkūman horse stretching his long neck to seize some greens, which a -man was carrying in a basket on his head--"He has learnt it,"[23] said -my friend, with a smile. - -When I looked on the desert arid plains which lie between Abusheher -and the mountains, and saw the ignorant, half-naked, swarthy men and -women broiling under a burning sun, with hardly any food but dates, my -bosom swelled with pity for their condition, and I felt the dignity -of the human species degraded by their contented looks. "Surely," -said I to Khojah Arratoon, an Armenian (known in the mission by the -name of Blue-beard),[24] "these people cannot be so foolish as to be -happy in this miserable and uninstructed state. They appear a lively, -intelligent race--can they be insensible to their comparatively -wretched condition? Do they not hear of other countries? have they -no envy, no desire for improvement?" The good old Armenian smiled, -and said, "No; they are a very happy race of people, and so far from -envying the condition of others, they pity them. But," added he, seeing -my surprise, "I will give you an anecdote which will explain the ground -of this feeling. - -"Some time since, an Arab woman, an inhabitant of Abusheher, went -to England[25] with the children of a Mr. Beauman. She remained in -your country four years. When she returned, all gathered round her to -gratify their curiosity about England. 'What did you find there? is it -a fine country? are the people rich? are they happy?' She answered, -'The country was like a garden; the people were rich, had fine clothes, -fine houses, fine horses, fine carriages, and were said to be very wise -and happy.' Her audience were filled with envy of the English, and a -gloom spread over them, which showed discontent at their own condition. -They were departing with this sentiment, when the woman happened to -say, 'England certainly wants one thing.' 'What is that?' said the -Arabs eagerly. 'There is not a single date tree in the whole country!' -'Are you sure?' was the general exclamation. 'Positive,' said the old -nurse; 'I looked for nothing else all the time I was there, but I -looked in vain.' This information produced an instantaneous change of -feeling among the Arabs: it was pity, not envy, that now filled their -breasts; and they went away, wondering how men could live in a country -where there were no date trees!" - -This anecdote was told me as I was jogging on the road, alongside -my friend Blue-beard, on our first march from Abusheher. I rode the -remainder of the way (ten good miles) without speaking a word, but -pondering on the seeming contradiction between the wisdom of Providence -and the wisdom of man. I even went so far as to doubt the soundness of -many admirable speeches and some able pamphlets I had read, regarding -the rapid diffusion of knowledge. I changed to a calculating mood, and -began to think it was not quite honest, even admitting it was wise, to -take away what men possessed, of content and happiness, until you could -give them an equal or greater amount of the same articles. - -Before leaving Abusheher we had received many proofs of the favour of -the Prince Regent of Shiraz. Soon after our arrival at that place, -a favourite officer of his guards brought a present of twelve mule -loads of fruit. When this young man came to pay his respects to the -Elchee, Khojah Arratoon desired to withdraw. When asked the reason: -"Why," said he, "the person who is deputed by the Prince is a Georgian, -the son of my next door neighbour in Teflis. When Aga Mahomed Khan -plundered that city, in 1797, he was made a prisoner, with twenty or -thirty thousand young persons of both sexes; and having since been -compelled to become a Mahomedan, and now enjoying high rank, he may be -embarrassed at seeing me." The Envoy said, "It does not signify; you -are my Treasurer, and must be present at the visit of ceremony: depend -upon it he will not notice you." It was as predicted; the bearer of the -present, a very handsome young man, superbly dressed, and of finished -manners, appeared to have no knowledge of Arratoon, though his eye -rested on him once or twice. When the visit was over, the good Armenian -could not contain himself: "The vile Mahomedan wretch!" he exclaimed, -"he has lost sight and feeling, as well as religion and virtue. Have I -given him sweetmeats so often, to be stared at as a stranger? I should -like to know who was his father, that he should look down upon me. It -will be a mournful tale," he concluded, "that I shall have to write to -his mother, who is in great distress, and who, poor deluded creature! -lives in hopes that there is still some good in this dog of a son of -hers." There was a mixture of wounded pride, of disappointment, and -humanity, in Blue-beard's sentiments, that made them at once amusing, -and affecting. - -He came, however, early next morning to the Envoy with a very different -countenance, and evidently deeply affected. "What injustice have I -not done," said he, "to that excellent young man! He sent a secret -messenger to me last night; and when we met, ran to embrace me, and -after telling me the short tale of his captivity, sufferings, and -subsequent advancement, inquired in the most earnest manner after -his mother. He has not only given a hundred tomans to relieve her -immediate wants, but has settled that I am to be the Agent for future -remittances. He informed me that he recognised the friend of his youth, -and never had more difficulty than in the effort to appear a stranger; -but he explained his reasons for being so cautious: he is not only a -Mahomedan, but has married into a respectable family, and is a great -favourite with the Prince, and must, therefore, avoid any conduct -that could bring the least shade of suspicion on the sincerity of his -faith or allegiance. I shall make his mother very happy," continued -Blue-beard, who was evidently quite flattered by the personal attention -of the young Georgian, and the confidence reposed in him; "for I will, -when I send her the tomans, tell her my conviction, that her son, -whatever he may profess, is a Christian in his heart. Indeed he must be -so; for if he had been a true Mahomedan he would have acted like one, -and have disowned, not supported, his mother, whom he must consider an -infidel." - -The Prince Regent of Fars, or Persia Proper, sent, soon after our -arrival at Abusheher, a young nobleman of his own tribe, Hassan Khan -Kajir, to attend the Elchee as Mehmandar. My intimacy, from old -acquaintance, with Jaffier Khan, Governor of Abusheher, led to his -showing me the letter he had received from his brother, the Prince's -vizier, regarding the reception of this personage. It is so good a -specimen of the minute attention the Persians give to forms that I -translated it. Its contents were as follows:-- - -"MY DEAR BROTHER, - -"HASSAN Khan Kajir, who is appointed Mehmandar to General Malcolm, is a -nobleman of the first rank and family. He will keep you informed of his -progress. When he arrives at Dalkhee[26] he will send on this letter, -and write you on the subject of his waiting upon the General, the day -he comes to camp. You will proceed to meet him, with all the garrison -of Abusheher, as far as the date trees on the border of the desert. You -will accompany him to General Malcolm's tent, and, when he leaves it, -you will proceed with him to his own tent, which must be pitched as the -General desires, on the right or left of his encampment. If Hassan Khan -Kajir arrives in the morning, you will stay and breakfast with him; -if in the evening, you will dine with him. Your future attention will -be regulated by your politeness and good sense, and you will always -consider him as a noble guest, who should be entertained in a manner -suitable to his rank and the distinguished situation to which he is -appointed, of Mehmandar to General Malcolm." - -The Mehmandar wrote a letter with this, in which he explained to the -Governor, as modestly as the subject would admit, his own expectations. -The Governor was anxious to know how the Envoy would receive him; and -when told that two officers would meet him at a short distance from the -camp, and that the escort would be drawn up before the tent at which -he alighted to salute him, his mind was at rest, as he was sure such -attention would be gratifying to this sixteenth cousin of Majesty. - -Hassan Khan made his appearance next day, and proved to be a fine -young man, about twenty-six years of age, of excellent manners and -handsome in person, with grey eyes, and a very pleasing expression of -countenance. At this visit he was profuse in professions of the regard -in which the King and Prince held the Elchee, both of whom, he said, -were anxious for the advance of the Mission. - -It is not only in attention to persons, deputed by kings and princes in -Persia, that respect for royalty is shown; it extends to the reception -of letters, dresses, and presents, and every inanimate thing with -which their name is associated. The object is to impart to all ranks -a reverence and awe for the sovereign and those to whom he delegates -power. In short, no means are neglected that can keep alive, or impress -more deeply, the duty of implicit obedience. - -Some time before we landed at Abusheher, the Envoys of Scind had been -at that port on their return from Teheran. They carried, among other -presents to their Prince, a picture of his Majesty, Fatteh Ali Shāh. -This painting was carefully packed in a deal box; but the inclosed -image of royalty could not be allowed to pass through his dominions -without receiving marks of respect hardly short of those that would -have been shown to the sovereign himself. - -The Governor and inhabitants of Abusheher went a stage to meet it: they -all made their obeisance at a respectful distance. On its entering the -gates of the city a royal salute was fired; and when the Envoys who -had charge of it embarked, the same ceremonies were repeated, and not -a little offence was taken at the British Resident because he declined -taking a part in this mummery. - -FOOTNOTES: - -[20] Burgashattee is the name of a small Turkish tribe, of which this -old nobleman was chief. - -[21] A celebrated stud-horse of Shaikh Nasser. - -[22] _Aibee na dared_, which is literally translated in the text, was -a phrase used by this old chief on every occasion. - -[23] _Amookhta ast._ - -[24] The nick-name of Blue-beard was given by some of the young men of -our party to our Treasurer, Khojah Arratoon, from that colour being -one day predominant in the dye he had used to ornament his beard. This -excellent man is now no more. - -[25] This story has been told by Sir John Malcolm, in his history, in -illustration of some of his facts or opinions; but he has taken this, -and many other equally good things, from me, without ever acknowledging -them; I shall, therefore, stand on no ceremony when it suits my purpose -to reclaim my property. - -[26] Fifty miles from Bushire. - - - - -CHAPTER VII. - - Mountaineers--Valley of Kazeroon--Virtue of Nitric Acid--Rizā Kooli - Khan's loss of Eyes--Extraordinary Birds--Beautiful Valley of - Dusht-e-Arjun--Mahomed Rizā Khan Byat--Irish Patriotism--Persian - Squire. - - -Nothing can be more striking than the change from the Gurmaseer, or -hot region, as they term the arid track on the shores of the Persian -Gulf, to the fine climate and rich soil of the elevated plains of -the interior of that country. After travelling fifty-five miles, we -reached the mountains. From the village of Dalkhee, famous for its date -plantations and streams impregnated with naphtha, and which lies at -the foot of the first range, we proceeded by narrow paths, which wound -along the face of the rugged and steep mountain we were ascending. When -near its summit, we were met by the Chiefs of the tribes and villages -in the vicinity. These, with their principal adherents, on horseback, -were drawn up on the crest of the mountain, while their other followers -sprang from rock to rock, firing their matchlocks in honour of the -strangers. Their ragged clothing, their robust forms, their rapid -evolutions (which, though apparently in disorder, were all by signal), -amid precipices, where it seemed dangerous to walk, the reports of -their fire-arms, reverberating from the surrounding hills, gave an -interest to these scenes which a fine writer might dwell on for pages, -but I shall content myself with the fact, that we passed in security -the two great ranges of mountains that intervene between the sea-shore -and the valley of Kazeroon; on entering which, our eyes were not only -cheered by rich fields, but also with wild myrtle, blackberry bushes, -and willows. The latter, shadowing small but clear rivulets, gave me -and others a feeling of home, which he who has not travelled in a far -distant land can never understand. Those of our party who had not been -in Persia before were quite delighted at the change of scene, and began -to give us credit for the roses and nightingales which we promised -them on its still happier plains. What they had seen of the inhabitants -of the mountains we had passed inclined them to believe the marvellous -tales we told of the tribe of Mama Sunee, who boast of having preserved -their name and habits unaltered from the time of Alexander the Great. - -We had good reason, when on the first Mission, to remember this tribe, -who, in conformity to one of their most ancient usages, had plundered -a part of our baggage that was unfortunately left without a guard in -our rear. The loss would have been greater but for a curious incident. -Among the camels left behind was one loaded with bottles containing -nitric acid, which had been furnished in considerable quantities to -us at Bombay. The able physician[27] who discovered its virtues was -solicitous that its efficacy should have a fair trial in Persia; and -it certainly proved a sovereign remedy in an extreme case, but one in -which he had not anticipated its effects. The robbers, after plundering -several camel loads, came to that with the nitric acid. They cast it -from the back of the animal upon the ground. The bottles broke, and -the smoke and smell of their contents so alarmed the ignorant and -superstitious Mama Sunees, that they fled in dismay, fully satisfied -that a pent-up genie of the Faringees had been let loose, and would -take ample vengeance on them for their misdeeds. The truth of this -was proved by the testimonies of the camel drivers, the subsequent -confession of some of the thieves, and the circumstance of several of -the loads which were near the nitric acid being untouched. - -The city of Kazeroon is situated near the ancient Shapoor, with whose -ruins antiquarians are delighted, and whose deserted fields were -equally prized by our sportsmen, from their abounding with game. - -I was myself much amused with a hunt of black partridges[28] at this -place, on which we were accompanied by thirty or forty horsemen. They -scattered themselves over a grassy plain, and the moment a partridge -was flushed, the man nearest it gave a shout, while such as were in -the direction in which it flew rode over the bird, which was hardly -allowed to touch the ground before it was raised again, and hunted as -before. Its flights became shorter; and after three or four, when quite -exhausted, it was picked up by one of the horsemen, several of whom had -little dogs called "scenters," to aid them in finding the partridge -when it took shelter in the long grass or bushes. We caught about -twenty brace of birds the first morning that I partook in this sport. - -Rizā Kooli Khan, the Governor of Kazeroon, came to pay the Elchee a -visit. This old nobleman had a silk band over his eye-sockets, having -had his eyes put out during the late contest between the Zend and Kajir -families for the throne of Persia. He began, soon after he was seated, -to relate his misfortunes, and the tears actually came to my eyes at -the thoughts of the old man's sufferings; when judge of my surprise -to find it was to entertain, not to distress us, he was giving the -narration, and that, in spite of the revolting subject, I was compelled -to smile at a tale, which in any country except Persia would have -been deemed a subject for a tragedy: but as poisons may by use become -aliment, so misfortunes, however dreadful, when they are of daily -occurrence, appear like common events of life. But it was the manner -and feelings of the narrator that, in this instance, gave the comic -effect to the tragedy of which he was the hero. - -"I had been too active a partisan," said Rizā Kooli Khan, "of the Kajir -family, to expect much mercy when I fell into the hands of the rascally -tribe of Zend. I looked for death, and was rather surprised at the -lenity which only condemned me to lose my eyes. A stout fellow of a -ferash[29] came as executioner of the sentence; he had in his hand a -large blunt knife, which he meant to make his instrument: I offered him -twenty tomans if he would use a penknife I showed him. He refused in -the most brutal manner, called me a merciless villain, asserting that I -had slain his brother, and that he had solicited the present office to -gratify his revenge, adding, his only regret was not being allowed to -put me to death. - -"Seeing," continued Rizā Kooli, "that I had no tenderness to look for -from this fellow, I pretended submission, and laid myself on my back; -he seemed quite pleased, tucked up his sleeves, brandished his knife, -and very composedly put one knee on my chest, and was proceeding to -his butchering work, as if I had been a stupid innocent lamb, that was -quite content to let him do what he chose. Observing him, from this -impression, off his guard, I raised one of my feet, and planting it on -the pit of his stomach, sent him heels over head in a way that would -have made you laugh (imitating with his foot the action he described, -and laughing heartily himself at the recollection of it). I sprung up; -so did my enemy; we had a short tussle--but he was the stronger; and -having knocked me down, succeeded in taking out my eyes. - -"The pain at the moment," said the old Khan, "was lessened by the -warmth occasioned by the struggle. The wounds soon healed; and when the -Kajirs obtained the undisputed sovereignty of Persia, I was rewarded -for my suffering in their cause. All my sons have been promoted, and -I am Governor of this town and province. Here I am in affluence, and -enjoying a repose to which men who can see are in this country perfect -strangers. If there is a deficiency of revenue, or any real or alleged -cause for which another Governor would be removed, beaten, or put to -death, the king says, 'Never mind, it is poor blind Rizā Kooli; let -him alone:' so you observe, Elchee, that I have no reason to complain, -being in fact better defended from misfortune by the loss of my two -eyes, than I could be by the possession of twenty of the clearest in -Persia:" and he laughed again at this second joke. - -Meerzā Aga Meer, the Persian secretary, when commenting upon Rizā Kooli -Khan's story, said that his grounds of consolation were substantial; -for that a stronger contrast could not exist between his condition, as -he had described it, and that of others who are employed as Revenue -officers under the present administration of Fars. "I cannot better," -said he, "illustrate this fact than by the witty and bold answer given -a short time since by one of the nobles to the Prince Regent at Shiraz. -The Prince asked of his advisers what punishment was great enough for a -very heinous offender who was brought before him; 'Make him a Collector -of Revenue,' said an old favourite nobleman; 'there can be no crime -for which such an appointment will not soon bring a very sufficient -punishment.'" - -We had an amusing account of an adventure which had occurred at -Kazeroon to two Gentlemen of the Mission, who had been sent some months -before to Shiraz. One of these, a relation of the Elchee, I have before -mentioned as particularly averse to what he deemed unnecessary fatigue -of body. But he and his companion had their curiosity so much raised by -the accounts they received of two strange creatures, that were said to -be in a house at the distance of fifteen miles, that in spite of the -severity of the weather (for it was winter), and the difficulties of -the road, they determined to go and see them. - -In answer to their inquiries, one man said, "These creatures are -very like birds, for they have feathers and two legs; but then their -head is bare and has a fleshy look, and one of them has a long black -beard on its breast." But the chief point on which they dwelt was the -singularity of their voice, which was altogether unlike that of any -other bird they had ever heard of or seen. An old man, who had gone -from Kazeroon to see them, declared it was a guttural sound very like -Arabic, but confessed that though he had listened with great attention, -he had not been able to make out one word they uttered. - -When the party arrived, very fatigued, at the end of their journey, -the inhabitants of the small village where the objects of curiosity -were kept came out to meet them. Being conducted to the house where the -birds were shut up, the door was opened, and out marched--a turkey-cock -and hen! the former, rejoicing in his release from confinement, -immediately commenced his Arabic. The Persians who came from Kazeroon -were lost in astonishment, while our two friends looked at each other -with that expression of countenance which indicates a doubt, between -an inclination to laugh or to be angry; the former feeling however -prevailed. Their merriment surprised the Persians, who, on being -informed of its cause, seemed disappointed to hear that the birds which -appeared so strange to them were very common both in India and England. - -From the account given by the possessor of the turkeys, it appeared -that they had been saved from the wreck of a vessel in the Gulf, and -had gradually come to the part of the interior where they then were. - -From Kazeroon to Dusht-e-Arjun is but a short distance, but the ascent -is great; and pleased as we had been with Kazeroon, we found all nature -with a different aspect in this small but delightful valley, which -is encircled by mountains, down whose rugged sides a hundred rills -contribute their waters to form the lake in its centre. The beauty of -these streams, some of which fall in a succession of cascades from -hills covered with vines; the lake itself, in whose clear bosom is -reflected the image of the mountains by which it is overhung; the -rich fields on its margin; and the roses, hyacinths, and almost every -species of flower that grow in wild luxuriance on its borders, made us -gaze with admiration on this charming scene; while the Persians, who -enjoyed our looks and expressions of delight, kept exclaiming, "Iran -hemeen ast!--Iran hemeen ast!" This is Persia!--This is Persia! - -I was rejoiced on this day's march to meet my old friend Mahomed Rizā -Khan Byat, who had come from Shiraz to compliment the Elchee. He -galloped up to me like a boy, calling out "You are welcome." I could -hardly believe my eyes on finding him look younger and brisker than -he did when I left him ten years before, at the age of sixty-eight, -eating, every day, a quantity of opium that was enough, according to -the calculation of our doctor, to poison thirty persons unaccustomed -to that drug. My regard for the old gentleman had led to my taking -no small pains to break him of a habit that I was persuaded would -destroy him; and the doctor, from the same impression, was my zealous -auxiliary. For him my friend inquired the moment he had welcomed -me; when told he was in India, he replied, laughing, "I am sorry he -is not here; I would show him that Christian doctors, though they -can, according to our belief, through the aid and influence of their -Messiah, work miracles, as he did, by curing the blind and the lame, -are not all true prophets. He told me I should die if I did not -diminish my allowance of opium; I have increased it four-fold since he -in his wisdom predicted my demise, and here I am, near fourscore, as -young and as active as any of them:" so saying, he pushed his horse -to speed, and turning his body quite round, according to the habit -of the ancient Parthians with the bow, and the modern Persians with -the matchlock, fired a ball at a mark in the opposite direction to -that in which he was galloping. Riding up to me, he first stroked his -beard, which was too well dyed to discover a single white hair, and -then taking out a box I had given him ten years before, opened it, and -literally cast down his throat a handful of opium pills, repeating, "I -wish my friend the doctor had been here!" - -I rode along with Mahomed Rizā the remainder of the march; and, -according to his account, the condition of Persia was greatly improved. -Indeed the internal peace it had enjoyed since the full establishment -of the power of the late king Aga Mahomed Khan, must of itself have -produced that effect; for Nature has been so bountiful to this country -in climate, soil, and in every animal and vegetable production, that -man, spoilt as he is by her indulgence, cannot, without great and -continued efforts, destroy the blessings by which he is surrounded. I -was more pleased at my friend dwelling with a calm and contented mind -on this great change, from a knowledge of his history. His father, -Sālah Khan, was one of the chief Omrāhs, or Nobles, at the Court of -Nadir Shāh when that conqueror was murdered. On that event Kings -started up in every province. Sālah Khan among others entered the -lists. He seized upon Shiraz, the fortifications of which he extended -and improved; but his enjoyment of a royal name was short; he was made -prisoner, and put to death by Kerreem Khan. His son, whose character is -marked by the absence of ambition, has passed through life with respect -as the Chief of a tribe, but without enjoying, or perhaps desiring, any -station of consequence. He is of a happy and contented frame of mind, -and speaks of the latter part of his father's life as a brilliant but -troubled dream of power, to which he was very fortunate not to succeed. - -The Prince and great men of Shiraz, on our approaching that city, so -loaded the Elchee with presents of ice-creams, sweetmeats, preserves, -and delicious fruits, that all in camp, down to the keepers of the -dogs, were busied in devouring these luxuries. A lion's share was -always allotted to a party of the 17th dragoons, which forms part -of the escort. I heard these fine fellows, who were all (with the -exception of one man) from Ireland, discussing, as they were eating -their ices, their preserves, their grapes, and nectarines, the merits -of Persia. "It is a jewel of a country," says one. "It would be," said -a second, "if there were more Christians in it." "I don't so much mind -the Christians," observed his companion, "if I could see a bog now and -then, instead of these eternal rocks and valleys, as they call them." -"Fine though it be," concluded corporal Corragan, "I would not give a -potatoe-garden in little Ireland for a dozen of it, and all that it -contains to boot." This patriotic sentiment, which appeared to meet -with general concurrence, closed the discussion. - -The morning we left Dusht-e-Arjun, I rode a short way with an old reis -or squire, who is a proprietor of a considerable part of the valley. -"How happy you are," I said, "in possessing a tract so fertile, so -beautiful, and with such rich verdure." The old man shook his head: -"That verdure you so much admire," said he, "is our ruin; our valley -is the best grazing land in Persia, and the consequence is, princes -and nobles send their mules here to fatten; and while our fields of -grain and our gardens are trampled by these animals, we have to endure -the insolence, and often the oppression, of their servants; and these -fellows in our country (I don't know what they are in yours) are always -ten times worse than their masters." - -FOOTNOTES: - -[27] The late Dr. Helenus Scott. - -[28] The Derraj, or black partridge, takes its name from its breast, -which is of that colour; the rest of its body is very much variegated. -Its throat and legs are red, as also the under parts of its tail; its -head is black, arched with spotted brown and white feathers, and one -spot of white below its eye. This beautiful bird is found in the higher -latitudes of India and in Persia; it is very common on the banks of the -Tigris. - -[29] Ferash is a menial servant employed in a house to keep it clean -and take care of the furniture. He also pitches tents, spreads carpets, -&c. &c. - - - - -CHAPTER VIII. - - Principal Characters of the Mission--Mahomed Hoosein - Khan--Jaffier Ali Khan--Meerzā Aga Meer--Mahomed Hoosein--Hajee - Hoosein--Candidates for the Elchee's favour. - - -Before I proceed further on my journey, I must introduce my reader -to some of the principal characters, Indian and Persian, with whom I -associated. These were my companions every where; and I owed much of -the information and amusement I derived on my visit to Persia to their -remarks and communications. No persons could differ more from each -other than my friends. This resulted, in part, from their dispositions, -but more from the opposite scenes in which they had passed their -lives. But a short account of them will best exhibit their respective -characters. - -The first, Mahomed Hoosein Khan, is a person who is attached to the -mission, more as a companion to the Envoy, than in any specific -employment. He is my particular friend, and is one of almost every -party in which I mix; rides with me, talks nonsense with me, besides -cutting jokes, writing epigrams, and telling stories; therefore I must -give a short sketch of him, otherwise he will never be understood. -Khan Sāhib, or "my Lord," is the name by which my friend is usually -known, though he has a right, from his inheritance, to the higher -title of Nabob. He is about five feet three inches high; his face, -though plain, has an expression which marks quickness and intelligence, -and the lively turn of his mind has its effect heightened from an -impression of gravity, conveyed by a pair of large spectacles, which, -being short-sighted, he always wears. His frame is not robust, and -his whole appearance indicates the over-care that has been bestowed -upon his childhood, and the enervating pleasures in which his youth, -according to the usage of Mahomedans of quality, has been passed. -He has, however, notwithstanding early habits of luxury, if not of -dissipation, received an excellent education. He is a tolerable Arabic -scholar, and has few superiors in Persian; he writes that language with -the greatest elegance, and is no mean composer, either in prose or -verse. Add to these qualifications a cheerful disposition, an excellent -memory, with a ready wit, and you have my little friend. - -The father of Khan Sāhib was a Persian, who went, in early life, to -improve his fortunes in India. He succeeded in recommending himself -to Mr. Duncan at Benares, and, after that gentleman became Governor -of Bombay, he appointed his Persian friend Resident at Abusheher, and -in 1798 sent him on a mission to the court of Persia. This preferment -naturally excited ambitious views: and, among other means by which he -sought to ennoble his family, was the marriage of his eldest son, my -friend, to the daughter of an ex-Prince of the Zend family, who being -in exile, and poor, was glad that his falling star (to use an Asiatic -figure) should come in conjunction with one that he thought was in -the ascendant. But the father died soon after he had grafted his son -on this branch of a decayed tree of royalty, leaving the latter what -he often laughingly calls "The sad inheritance of poverty and rank -combined with a most dignified wife," who, if he is to be believed, not -unfrequently reminds him of her high birth, and is rather wont to dwell -upon her condescension in allying herself to him. "I could," he added, -the other day, "have given her some reasons for that act of prudence, -but it would only have made her worse, and God knows what her violence -might have prompted, so I kept quiet." - -Here Khan Sāhib betrayed his foible, which is certainly extreme -prudence. He is in the habit of wearing yellow boots with high heels, -loose red cloth trowsers, which are half displayed by a tunic tucked -up, like that of the most valiant among the horsemen of Persia. His -high lamb's-wool cap has, when he is equipped for a march, the true -military pinch; two small pistols and a dagger are stuck in his girdle, -and to a waistbelt is fastened a powder-flask and a bag of bullets; a -large sabre hangs by an embroidered cross-belt, while a shorter sword, -for close quarters, is fastened to his saddle; to the front of which -is attached a pair of holsters that contain two large horse-pistols. -In spite of all these indications of desperate courage, aided by an -upright and imposing seat on horseback, and sufficient boldness in -galloping to and fro on a smooth plain, there is some want of that -forward valour which depends more upon itself than the arsenal of great -and small arms it carries for its defence. My friend is quite sensible -of this deficiency, and is at times very happy in his allusions to -the fact, and can very wittily philosophise upon the causes.--Want -of stamina--coddled infancy--indulged youth--fear of his father--and -terror of his royal wife, form the principal items in the list. "But," -he is wont to add, "if I have, from a combination of causes, lost that -strength of nerve which constitutes brute courage, I trust I have a -manly spirit, the result of reflection, which, on proper occasions, you -will always see me exert." - -This is, no doubt, the case; but I never happened to be present on any -of these "proper occasions," and I was one of a party, where we were -almost diverted from thinking of danger by his ludicrous behaviour at -its approach. - -The Elchee having particular business when we were lying in Abusheher -Roads, had determined to land; though the sea was rough, and the waves -ran very high on the bar at the mouth of the harbour. The Khan, who -had recently been attached to the Mission, insisted on going, though -advised not: he was very courageous till we came on the bar, where -the waves that chased each other seemed at every moment as if they -would overwhelm our little bark. To each of these, as they rose and -pursued us with their foaming crests, Khan Sāhib addressed a rapid -invocation--"Allah, Allah, Allah!" (God, God, God!) and the moment we -were safe from its fury, he, in a still more hurried way, repeated -his gratitude; "Shooker, shooker, shooker!" (thanks, thanks, thanks!) -These invocations and thanksgivings were repeated with great volubility -and wonderful earnestness; Allah, Allah, Allah! and Shooker, shooker, -shooker! continued to sound in our ears for a quarter of an hour; -when "Al hamd ulillah!" (praise be to God!) pronounced in a slow -and composed tone, proclaimed we were in smooth water. I rallied my -friend[30] on the little composure he showed on this occasion; but he -defended himself stoutly, saying, he always prayed twice as much at sea -as on shore. This I believe; but he is on shore even an indifferent -observer of the rites of his religion, and is suspected by some of the -orthodox of our party of being a Sooffee, or philosophical Deist, which -seems to me a general name, that includes all, from the saint who raves -about divine love, to the sinner who scoffs at the rites of the worship -of his country. - -The next personage is Jaffier Ali Khan, brother to the Nabob of -Masulipatam. This Indian Mahomedan is a man high in rank though of -limited income, and has been from boyhood an intimate friend of the -Elchee. Having married into a Persian family, he now resides at Shiraz, -where he has been for some time employed as an agent. Jaffier Ali -is a tolerable English scholar, but writes that language with more -facility than correctness. He was, in his earlier years, extravagant -from love of dissipation, and is now imprudent from irresolution. He -has acquired a good deal of knowledge, but wants firmness of judgment. -The consequence is, that both in conducting his own affairs and those -of others, he becomes the dupe of rogues, with whom such a character is -sure always to be surrounded. Nevertheless, there is such a redeeming -simplicity of manner, and such kindness of heart, about poor Jaffier -Ali, that it is impossible for any one to keep up that indignation -which his folly often produces. "My friend is not the honest man I -thought him," said he one day to me, speaking of a fellow who had duped -him; "I have been more foolish than I could have believed, but I will -take care another time: yet," he added, with a sympathy for his own -weakness, "it is very difficult to deal with these Persians, they are -so pleasing in their speech and manner, and most of all when they have -cheating intentions." - -Mahomed Hoosein, who is also an Indian, has served the Elchee as -Moonshee, or instructor in the Persian language, since the latter was -an ensign of eighteen, and has gradually risen with his master, whose -confidence he enjoys and merits. He is a modest man, speaks little, -but always to the purpose. It is not the habit of the Elchee to bring -any man in his station prominently forward, and this practice appears -exactly to suit the character of the Moonshee, which it has perhaps -formed. He never goes to the Elchee but when he is sent for, and -never stays when not wanted; is pleased with any mark of flattering -attention, but never appears, like others, to make that his object. -With this happy temper, and an honesty that has stood the test of great -temptation for more than twenty years, he passes a comparatively still -life, amidst all the bustle with which he is surrounded. When not busy -writing letters he is employed reading some Persian book, chiefly -works on the theological disputes between the Soonees and the Sheas. -He holds the tenets of the former; and, with all due reverence to Ali, -the nephew and son-in-law of the Prophet, he thinks, with the Turks and -Arabs, that Abubeker, Omar, and Osman, were true men and good Caliphs, -and not as the Persians, in their enthusiasm for Ali, term them, base -caitiffs and vile usurpers. The Moonshee said to me one day, when I -was joking him on his studies, "I do not want to dispute with these -red-headed[31] doctors, but I must fortify myself in my own belief;" -and he added, in a low tone of voice, "How can the faith of men be -right, whose practice is so wrong? Did you ever see or hear such a set -of swaggerers and story-tellers? I rejoice my master has seen so much -of them; he will think better than he has ever yet done of us poor -Indians." - -The next person with whom I must make my readers acquainted is Meerzā -Aga Meer; he is a Syed, that is one of the tribe of Mahomed, and enjoys -great respect among his countrymen, from being a lineal descendant of -a holy man, the Ameer Hemza, whose tomb is at Shiraz, and is esteemed -one of the most sacred shrines of that city. Aga Meer is a fine penman, -and an uncommonly good writer of letters, which is his occupation. He -is of mild and unassuming manners, slow in word and action; his even -temper and good sense appear always directed to the object of keeping -himself clear of all taint from the scene of cupidity and intrigue in -which all around him are engaged. The very opposite of the generality -of his countrymen, he endeavours to shun all employment not in his own -line; and, though a great favourite with the Elchee, he takes nothing -on himself, and will, indeed, do nothing without a specific order. -Aga Meer is sometimes ashamed of his countrymen; but he is usually -satisfied with showing his feeling by a shrug of his shoulders, and -sometimes by averting his head, and is evidently disinclined to inform -against or condemn them, when he can avoid such a course without a -breach of duty; but whenever duty is in question, this good and honest -man is firm and temperate in its fulfilment. - -I have before mentioned Khojah Arratoon, the Armenian treasurer. This -sensible and honest man has the characteristic reserve of his tribe, -who, from living in a country where they are subject to oppression, -become, from early habit, most guarded in their words and actions. This -good man is fond of a joke, but he whispers it to you as if it was -a state secret. We call him, as I have stated, Blue-beard, from the -circumstance of this dye being one day predominant in the colour he had -given to this ornament of his face, of the size and form of which he -is, and not without reason, proud. He told me his vanity was once not -a little flattered by the abuse of a Persian, who after exhausting all -other topics, concluded by saying, "And then what business has a dog of -an unbeliever like you with such a beard?" - -The most prominent among the lower servants is old Hajee Hoosein, the -head of the personal attendants; he assumes a superiority over his -fellow-servants on the ground of his having visited foreign countries; -and he boasts that from every one of them he has brought away some -advantage or attainment. He has added to a taste for poetry and the -marvellous (which he tells me was born with him in Persia) a love of -antiquities, acquired at Bagdad--a knowledge of Arab horses, picked up -at Bussorah--skill in traffic in small wares, learnt at Muscat--some -theology, and the holy and useful name of Hajee or Pilgrim, gained by -a visit to the Prophet's Tomb at Mecca; and a small but profitable -acquaintance with the machinery of clocks and watches, obtained by -a short apprenticeship with an eminent horologist at Calcutta. This -travelled and very accomplished person, though he condescends to hand -the Elchee his Kellian, and to distribute coffee to visitors, is in -great request throughout our camp, and with none more than me; and I -am rather flattered by the partiality he shows for my society, owing, -I suspect, to my having early declared my admiration of his various -talents, and in particular of his skill as a watchmaker, on his having -succeeded in making an old watch of mine, that had stopped for a -twelvemonth, go for nearly one whole day. - -The above personages are our principal characters; minor gentlemen will -speak for themselves when they come upon the stage. - -Besides these attached to our camp, we have numbers who, from frequent -visits and dealings, are almost considered as belonging to it. But -our mode of proceeding is now understood, and the Elchee is not -compelled, as he was on his first mission, to guard against attempts of -individuals to establish an exclusive influence. Two of these, made by -very opposite characters, deserve to be recorded. - -The first was a specious young man of some ability, whose name was -Hajee Abd-ool-Hameed, who came from Shiraz with a complimentary -letter from the minister, Cherāgh Ali Khan, to whom he had promised -to discover the real object of the mission, while to others he -had professed his intention of making himself the sole medium of -communication and intercourse between the English Representative and -the Persian government. - -He pursued his design with some address; but the Elchee seeing him -linger at Abusheher, and very assiduous in his court, suspected his -motives, and one day plainly asked him whether he had any further -business, or entertained any expectations of employment? Though at -first disconcerted by these direct queries, he confessed he had no -business except that of recommending himself; and he then represented -how impossible it would be to carry on any concerns in Persia without a -qualified native as an agent, stating at the same time that he himself -was exactly the man required. - -The Elchee thanked him for his kind intentions, but informed him that -such assistance was not at that moment necessary. If ever it was, he -assured Abd-ool-Hameed his disinterestedness in coming so far to afford -it, should not be forgotten. The manner more than the substance of this -observation was death to the cherished hopes of the Persian expectant. -Two days afterwards he left the camp and returned to Shiraz, where -he became actively hostile to the mission, considering himself, by a -selfish but common perversion of human reasoning, not merely slighted, -but robbed of all the benefits he had anticipated. - -The rejection of this gentleman's services no doubt prevented many -speculators for favour making the efforts they might have intended. But -we learned from Shiraz, that Aga Ibrahim, a native of Cazveen, who had -been long settled as a merchant at Shiraz, and was a candidate for the -contract for making up tents and other articles wanted for our outfit, -ridiculed Abd-ool-Hameed and his plan, and boasted that he would show -them all the way to win a Faringee Elchee. - -The intelligence of his intentions, which was written by the Moonshee, -Mahomed Hoosein, who had been sent in advance with letters to the -Prince Regent of Fars and the King, made us anxious to see this -formidable personage. When we were a stage from Dusht-e-Arjun, he made -his appearance. He seemed a merry open-hearted fellow, and, according -to his own communications, fond of the good things of this world. He -was not over-scrupulous, he said, as to a glass or two of good liquor, -and he boasted of having been a boon companion to the King, when his -Majesty was Prince Regent at Shiraz, before dread of his uncle, Aga -Mahomed and the Moollāhs, made him publicly renounce his wicked ways, -and march round the city to break all the vessels which contained wine, -in order that young and old should be aware of the sincere repentance -of the Heir Apparent of the throne of Persia. - -"I had no uncle with a crown on his head," said Aga Ibrahim. "I care -nothing for priests, and have never yet felt the slightest disposition -to alter my ways, except when the liquor was bad; but I take care," -said he, with a significant nod to the Elchee, "to have it always of -the best." - -This conversation occurred during the day. In the evening, Aga Ibrahim -desired a private interview with the Elchee; and after being some time -with him, he returned to our party evidently disappointed. We soon -discovered the reason: he had caused two loaded camels to be taken to -the Elchee's tent by a back road, and, after a short preamble, had -begged he would accept of both, with their burdens, as a "paish-kesh, -or first-offering." One of the camels was loaded with Russian brandy, -and the panniers which the other carried were (according to his report) -two young and beautiful female Georgian slaves! The liquor and the -ladies had both been politely declined, with many thanks for his -intended kindness. - -Our friend, Aga Ibrahim, was a very different character from -Abd-ool-Hameed. A few glasses of wine which we gave him restored his -spirits. "My plan was a good one," he said, "and would, I thought, have -won the heart of any Faringee. This Elchee must have some deep designs -on Persia, or he could never have resisted such temptations." - -Aga Ibrahim had been a great trafficker in the slaves, male and female, -which the army of Aga Mahomed brought from Georgia in his irruption -into that country in 1797. He had retained one in his own family, of -whom he appeared dotingly fond. The more wine he took, the more he -spoke of his favourite Mariamne. "I have often," said he, "offered to -marry her, if she would only become a Mahomedan, but all in vain; and -really, when she is on her knees praying before her cross, or chanting -hymns to the Virgin Mary, she looks so beautiful, and sings so sweetly, -that I have twenty times been tempted to turn Christian myself. -Besides, I can hardly think of Paradise as delightful without Mariamne!" - -Our jolly good-natured friend went back to Shiraz next day with his -camels, neither out of humour with us nor himself. He had failed, it -was true; but he remained satisfied that it was some mysterious cause, -against which human wisdom could not provide, that had defeated his -excellent scheme for gaining the heart of a Faringee Elchee. - -Aga Ibrahim was consoled for his first disappointment by having a good -share of the employment he desired; and, in all his dealings, he was -found as honest as other Persian merchants. - -FOOTNOTES: - -[30] It is with great regret I state that the witty and accomplished -Khan Sāhib, like many others mentioned in these pages, has paid the -debt of nature. He continued in India as in Persia to accompany his -friend the Elchee till 1821, when he fell a victim to the cholera. - -[31] Kezzelbash, or red-headed, is the appellation by which the -Persians are known over Asia. It is said to have arisen from their -wearing red cloth tops to their black lambs'-wool caps. - - - - -CHAPTER IX. - - Importance of Forms--Description of those used at Visits in - Persia--Difficulties on this subject--Happy termination of a Battle - of Ceremonies between the first Mission and the petty Court of - Shiraz--Persian Society--Fables and Apologues. - - -When we arrived at the garden of Shāh Cherāgh, within a few miles of -the city of Shiraz, a halt was ordered for the purpose of settling the -forms of our reception. These were easily arranged, as the Elchee, -though his military rank, from the period of his first mission to the -present, had advanced from that of Captain to General, claimed only -the same respect and attention he had before insisted upon as the -representative of a great and powerful government. - -Ceremonies and forms have, and merit, consideration in all countries, -but particularly among Asiatic nations. With these the intercourse of -private as well as public life is much regulated by their observance. -From the spirit and decision of a public Envoy upon such points, the -Persians very generally form their opinion of the character of the -country he represents. This fact I had read in books, and all I saw -convinced me of its truth. Fortunately the Elchee had resided at some -of the principal courts of India, whose usages are very similar. He -was, therefore, deeply versed in that important science denominated -"Kāida-e-nishest-oo-berkhāst" (or the art of sitting and rising), in -which is included a knowledge of the forms and manners of good society, -and particularly those of Asiatic kings and their courts. - -He was quite aware, on his first arrival in Persia, of the consequence -of every step he took on such delicate points; he was, therefore, -anxious to fight all his battles regarding ceremonies before he came -near the footstool of royalty. We were consequently plagued, from the -moment we landed at Abusheher, till we reached Shiraz, with daily, -almost hourly drilling, that we might be perfect in our demeanour at -all places, and under all circumstances. We were carefully instructed -where to ride in a procession, where to stand or sit within-doors, when -to rise from our seats, how far to advance to meet a visitor, and to -what part of the tent or house we were to follow him when he departed, -if he was of sufficient rank to make us stir a step. - -The regulations of our risings and standings, and movings and -reseatings, were, however, of comparatively less importance than the -time and manner of smoking our Kelliāns and taking our coffee. It is -quite astonishing how much depends upon coffee and tobacco in Persia. -Men are gratified or offended, according to the mode in which these -favourite refreshments are offered. You welcome a visitor, or send -him off, by the way in which you call for a pipe or a cup of coffee. -Then you mark, in the most minute manner, every shade of attention -and consideration, by the mode in which he is treated. If he be above -you, you present these refreshments yourself, and do not partake till -commanded: if equal, you exchange pipes, and present him with coffee, -taking the next cup yourself: if a little below you, and you wish -to pay him attention, you leave him to smoke his own pipe, but the -servant gives him, according to your condescending nod, the first cup -of coffee: if much inferior, you keep your distance and maintain your -rank, by taking the first cup of coffee yourself, and then directing -the servant, by a wave of the hand, to help the guest. - -When a visitor arrives, the coffee and pipe are called for to welcome -him; a second call for these articles announces that he may depart; -but this part of the ceremony varies according to the relative rank or -intimacy of the parties. - -These matters may appear light to those with whom observances of this -character are habits, not rules; but in this country they are of -primary consideration, a man's importance with himself and with others -depending on them. - -From the hour the first mission reached Persia, servants, merchants, -governors of towns, chiefs, and high public officers, presuming upon -our ignorance, made constant attempts to trespass upon our dignity, -and though repelled at all points, they continued their efforts, till -a battle royal at Shiraz put the question to rest, by establishing our -reputation, as to a just sense of our own pretensions, upon a basis -which was never afterwards shaken. But this memorable event merits a -particular description. - -The first mission arrived at Shiraz on the 13th of June, 1800. The -King of Persia was at this time in Khorassan, and the province of -Fars, of which Shiraz is the capital, was nominally ruled by one of -his sons, called Hoosein Ali Meerzā, a boy of twelve years of age. He -was under the tuition of his mother, a clever woman, and a Minister -called Cherāgh Ali Khan. With the latter redoubtable personage there -had been many fights upon minor ceremonies, but all were merged in a -consideration of those forms which were to be observed on our visit to -the young Prince. - -According to Persian usage, Hoosein Ali Meerzā was seated on a Nemmed, -or thick felt, which was laid on the carpet, and went half across the -upper end of the room in which he received the Mission. Two slips of -felt, lower by two or three inches than that of the Prince, extended -down each side of the apartment. On one of these sat the Ministers and -Nobles of the petty Court, while the other was allotted to the Elchee -and Suite; but according to a written "Destoor-ool-Amal," (or program) -to which a plan of the apartment was annexed, the Elchee was not only -to sit at the top of our slip, but his right thigh was to rest on the -Prince's Nemmed. - -The Elchee, on entering this apartment, saluted the Prince, and then -walked up to his appointed seat; but the master of the ceremonies[32] -pointed to one lower, and on seeing the Elchee took no notice of his -signal, he interposed his person between him and the place stated in -the program. Here he kept his position, fixed as a statue, and in his -turn paid no attention to the Elchee, who waved his hand for him to -go on one side. This was the crisis of the battle. The Elchee looked -to the Minister; but he stood mute, with his hands crossed before his -body, looking down on the carpet. The young Prince, who had hitherto -been as silent and dignified as the others, now requested the Elchee to -be seated; which the latter, making a low bow to him, and looking with -no slight indignation at the Minister, complied with. Coffee and pipes -were handed round; but as soon as that ceremony was over, and before -the second course of refreshments were called for, the Elchee requested -the Prince to give him leave to depart; and, without waiting a reply, -arose and retired. - -The Minister seeing matters were wrong, and being repulsed in an -advance he made to an explanation, sent Mahomed Shereef Khan, the -Mehmandar, to speak to the Elchee; but he was told to return, and tell -Cherāgh Ali Khan "That the British Representative would not wait at -Shiraz to receive a second insult. Say to him," he added, "that regard -for the King, who is absent from his dominions, prevented my showing -disrespect to his son, who is a mere child; I therefore seated myself -for a moment; but I have no such consideration for his Minister, who -has shown himself alike ignorant of what is due to the honour of his -sovereign and his country, by breaking his agreement with a foreign -Envoy." - -The Elchee mounted his horse, after delivering this message, which he -did in a loud and indignant tone, and rode away apparently in a great -rage. It was amusing to see the confusion to which his strong sense -of the indignity put upon him threw those, who a moment before were -pluming themselves on the clever manner by which they had compelled -him to seat himself fully two feet lower on the carpet than he had -bargained for. Meerzās and Omrāhs came galloping one after another, -praying different persons of his suite to try and pacify him. The -latter shook their heads; but those who solicited them appeared to -indulge hopes, till they heard the orders given for the immediate -movement of the English camp. All was then dismay; message after -message was brought deprecating the Elchee's wrath. He was accused -of giving too much importance to a trifle; it was a mistake of my -lord of the ceremonies; would his disgrace--his punishment--the -bastinado--putting his eyes out--cutting off his head, satisfy or -gratify the offended Elchee?--To all such evasions and propositions -the Envoy returned but one answer:--"Let Cherāgh Ali Khan write an -acknowledgment that he has broken his agreement, and that he entreats -my forgiveness: if such a paper is brought me, I remain; if not, I -march from Shiraz." - -Every effort was tried in vain to alter this resolution, and the -Minister, seeing no escape, at last gave way, and sent the required -apology, adding, if ever it reached his Majesty's ear that the Elchee -was offended, no punishment would be deemed too severe for those who -had ruffled his Excellency's temper or hurt his feelings. - -The reply was, the explanation was ample and satisfactory, and that -the Elchee would not for worlds be the cause of injury to the meanest -person in Persia, much less to his dear friend Cherāgh Ali Khan; and -a sentence was added to this letter by particular desire of Meerzā -Aga Meer, who penned it, stating, "That everything disagreeable was -erased from the tablet of the Elchee's memory, on which nothing was now -written but the golden letters of amity and concord." - -The day after this affair was settled, the Minister paid the Elchee -a long visit, and insisted upon his going again to see the Prince. -We went--but what a difference in our reception: all parties were -attentive; the master of the ceremonies bent almost to the ground; -and though the Elchee only desired to take his appointed seat, that -would neither satisfy the Prince nor the Minister, who insisted -that, instead of his placing one thigh on the Nemmed, which was -before unapproachable, he should sit altogether on its edge! This -was "miherbānee, ser-afrāzee," (favour, exaltation), and we were all -favoured and exalted. - -Such is the history of this battle of ceremony, which was the only one -of any consequence there was occasion to fight in Persia; for in wars -of this kind, as in other wars, if you once establish your fame for -skill and courage, victory follows as a matter of course. - -It must not be supposed from what has been stated, that the Persians -are all grave formal persons. They are the most cheerful people in -the world; and they delight in familiar conversation; and every -sort of recreation appears, like that of children, increased by -those occasional restraints to which their customs condemn them. -They contrive every means to add to the pleasures of their social -hours; and as far as society can be agreeable, divested of its chief -ornament, females, it is to be met with in this country. Princes, -chiefs, and officers of state, while they pride themselves, and with -justice, on their superior manners, use their utmost efforts to make -themselves pleasant companions. Poets, historians, astrologers, wits, -and reciters of stories and fables, who have acquired eminence, are -not only admitted into the first circles, but honoured. It is not -uncommon to see a nobleman of high rank give precedence to a man of -wit or of letters, who is expected to amuse or instruct the company; -and the latter, confident in those acquirements to which he owes his -distinction, shows, by his manner and observations, that usage has -given him a right to the place he occupies. - -I heard, before I mixed in it, very different accounts of Persian -society. With one class of persons it was an infliction, to another -a delight. I soon found that its enjoyment depended upon a certain -preparation; and from the moment I landed in the country, I devoted a -portion of my time to their most popular works in verse and prose. I -made translations, not only of history and poetry, but of fables and -tales, being satisfied that this occupation, while it improved me in -the knowledge of the language, gave me a better idea of the manners -and mode of thinking of this people than I could derive from any other -source. Besides, it is a species of literature with which almost every -man in Persia is acquainted; and allusions to works of fancy and -fiction are so common in conversation, that you can never enjoy their -society if ignorant of such familiar topics. - -I have formerly alluded to the cause which leads all ranks in Persia to -blend fables and apologues in their discourse, but this subject merits -a more particular notice. There has been a serious and protracted -discussion among the learned in Europe as to the original country of -those tales which have delighted and continue to delight successive -generations. One or two facts connected with this abstruse question -are admitted by all.--First, that the said tales are not the native -produce of our western clime. They are decidedly exotics, though we -have improved upon the original stock by careful culture, by grafting, -and other expedients, so as to render them more suited to the soil into -which they have been transplanted. - -The next admission is, that some of our best fables and tales came with -the Sun from the East, that genial clime, where nature pours forth -her stores with so liberal a hand that she spoils by her indulgence -those on whom she bestows her choicest gifts. In that favoured land -the imagination of authors grows and flourishes, like their own -evergreens, in unpruned luxuriance. This exuberance is condemned by the -fastidious critics of the West. As for myself, though an admirer of -art, I like to contemplate Nature in all her forms; and it is amidst -her varied scenes that I have observed how much man takes his shape -and pursuits from the character of the land in which he is born. Our -admirable and philosophic poet, after asserting the command which the -uncircumscribed soul, when it chooses to exert itself, has over both -the frigid and torrid zones, beautifully and truly adds-- - - "Not but the human fabric from its birth - Imbibes a flavour of its parent earth; - As various tracts enforce a various toil, - The manners speak the idiom of the soil." - -The warmth of the climate of the East, the ever-teeming abundance of -the earth, while it fosters lively imaginations and strong passions, -disposes the frame to the enjoyment of that luxurious ease which is -adverse to freedom. That noblest of all plants which ever flourished -on earth has, from the creation to the present day, been unknown in -the East. This being the case, the fathers of families, the chiefs of -tribes, and the sovereigns of kingdoms, are, within their separate -circles, alike despotic; their children, followers, and subjects are -consequently compelled to address these dreaded superiors in apologues, -parables, fables, and tales, lest the plain truth, spoken in plain -language, should offend; and the person who made a complaint or offered -advice should receive the bastinado, or have his head struck off on -the first impulse of passion, and before his mighty master had time to -reflect on the reasonableness of such prompt punishment. - -To avoid such unpleasant results, every bird that flies, every beast -that walks, and even fish that swim, have received the gift of speech, -and have been made to represent kings, queens, ministers, courtiers, -soldiers, wise men, foolish men, old women, and little children, in -order, as a Persian author says, "That the ear of authority may be -safely approached by the tongue of wisdom." - -There is another reason why tales and fables continue so popular in -the East; we observe how pleasing and useful they are as a medium of -conveying instruction in childhood: a great proportion of the men -and women of the countries of which we speak are, in point of general -knowledge, but children; and while they learn, through allegories and -apologues, interspersed with maxims, to appreciate the merits of their -superiors, the latter are, in their turn, taught by the same means -lessons of humanity, generosity, and justice. - -"Have you no laws," said I one day to Aga Meer, "but the Koran, and the -traditions upon that volume?" "We have," said he, gravely, "the maxims -of Sādee." Were I to judge from my own observations, I should say, that -these stories and maxims, which are known to all, from the king to the -peasant, have fully as great an effect, in restraining the arbitrary -and unjust exercise of power as the laws of the Prophet. - -It is through allegories and fables that we receive the earliest -accounts we have of all nations, but particularly those of the Eastern -hemisphere. We may, in these days in which exactness is so much valued, -deplore this medium as liable to mislead; but must recollect, that if -we had not their ancient records in this form we should have them in -none. One of the wisest men in the West, Francis Bacon, has truly said, -"Fiction gives to mankind what history denies, and in some measure -satisfies the mind with shadows when it cannot enjoy the substance." - -Those who rank highest amongst the Eastern nations for genius have -employed their talents in works of fiction; and they have added to the -moral lessons they desired to convey so much of grace and ornament, -that their volumes have found currency in every nation of the world. -The great influx of them into Europe may be dated from the crusades; -and if that quarter of the globe derived no other benefits from these -holy wars, the enthusiastic admirers of such narrations may consider -the tales of Boccaccio and similar works as sufficient to compensate -all the blood and treasure expended in that memorable contest! - -England has benefited largely from these tales of the East. Amongst -other boons from that land of imagination, we have the groundwork on -which Shakspeare has founded his inimitable play of the Merchant of -Venice. - -The story of the Mahomedan and the Jew has been found in several books -of Eastern Tales. In one Persian version love is made to mix with -avarice in the breast of the Israelite, who had cast the eye of desire -upon the wife of the Mahomedan, and expected, when he came to exact his -bond, the lady would make any sacrifice to save her husband. - -At the close of this tale, when the parties come before the judge, the -Jew puts forth his claim to the forfeited security of a pound of flesh. -"How answerest thou?" said the judge, turning to the Mahomedan. "It -is so," replied the latter; "the money is due by me, but I am unable -to pay it." "Then," continued the judge, "since thou hast failed in -payment, thou must give the pledge; go, bring a sharp knife." When -that was brought, the judge turned to the Jew, and said, "Arise, and -separate one pound of flesh from his body, so that there be not a grain -more or less; for if there is, the governor shall be informed, and thou -shalt be put to death." "I cannot," said the Jew, "cut off one pound -exactly; there will be a little more or less." But the judge persisted -that it should be the precise weight. On this the Jew said he would -give up his claim and depart. This was not allowed, and the Jew being -compelled to take his bond with all its hazards, or pay a fine for a -vexatious prosecution, he preferred the latter, and returned home a -disappointed usurer. - -Admitting that the inhabitants of Europe received these tales and -apologues from the Saracens, the next question is, where did they get -them? Mahomed and his immediate successors, while they proscribed all -such false and wicked lies and inventions, accuse the Persians of -being the possessors and propagators of those delusive tales, which -were, according to them, preferred by many of their followers to the -Koran. But in the course of time Caliphs became less rigid. The taste -for poetry and fiction revived, and Persian stories and Arabian tales -deluged the land. - -For some centuries the above countries were the supposed sources of -this branch of literature, but, since the sacred language of the Hindus -has become more generally known, the Persians are discovered to have -been not only the plunderers of their real goods and chattels, but -also of their works of imagination. These we, in our ignorance, long -believed to belong to the nations from whom we obtained them; but now -that Orientalists abound, who are deeply read in Sanscrit, Prącrit, -Marhatta, Guzerattee, Canarese, Syamese, Chinese, Talingana, Tamil, -and a hundred other languages, unknown to our ignorant ancestors, the -said Persians and Arabians have been tried and convicted, not only of -robbing the poor Hindus of their tales and fables, but of an attempt -to disguise their plagiarisms, by the alteration of names, and by -introducing, in place of the gods and goddesses of the Hindu Pantheon, -the magi, and all the spirits of the Heaven and the Earth, which -peculiarly belong to the followers of Zoroaster. - -Nothing, however, can impose upon the present enlightened age, and our -antiquaries have long been and are still occupied in detecting thefts -committed twenty centuries ago. In spite of the Persian and Arabian -cloaks in which tales and fables have been enveloped, the trace of -their Hindu origin has been discovered in the various customs and -usages referred to, and it has been decided that almost all the ancient -tales are taken from the Hitōpadźsa, and that still more famous work, -the Pancha-Tantra, or more properly the Panchōpākhyān, or Five Tales; -while many of the more modern are stolen from the Kathā-Sarit-Sāgar, or -Ocean of the Stream of Narration, a well-known work, which was compiled -about the middle of the twelfth century by order of that equally -well-known Prince Sree Hertha of Cashmere! - -I have sometimes had doubts whether it was quite fair to rake up the -ashes of the long-departed Pehlevee writers; more particularly as there -does not now exist one solitary book in their language which we could -compare with the Hindu MSS., of which we have lately become enamoured; -but reverence for the learning of those who have decided this question, -and dread of their hard words, with the very spelling of which I am -always puzzled, has kept me silent. As I am, however, rather partial to -my Persian friends, I must vindicate them from this general charge of -robbery and fraud. They certainly acquired one of their most celebrated -works of imagination from India, under circumstances that do equal -honour to the just king Noosheerwān, his wise minister Boozoorchimihr, -and the learned doctor Barzooyeh. - -The work to which I refer is the Kartaka-Damnaka of the Brahmins, the -Kalīla-wa-Damna of the Arabians, and the Fables of Pilpay of Europe. -This book, originally written in the Sanscrit, was first translated -into Pehlevee, from that into Arabic, and next into Persian. So many -learned Oriental critics, French and English, have given the names and -dates of the translations, that I shall not repeat them, but give a -short account of the first introduction of these famous fables into -Persia, with some facts of the life and opinions of the wise and -disinterested man through whose efforts his native country became -possessed of this treasure. - -Noosheerwān, deservedly styled the Just, who governed Persia in the -beginning of the seventh century, hearing of the fame of a work which -a Brahmin of Ceylon had composed, employed the celebrated physician -named Barzooyeh to obtain for him a copy of this production. This was a -delicate and hazardous enterprise, for the work, ever since the reign -of a certain Indian King, named Dabshileem, for whom it was written, -had been guarded with great care and jealousy, lest the profane should -learn the wisdom that ought only to appertain to the wise and holy. - -Barzooyeh, confident in knowledge and strong in allegiance, undertook -to fulfil the commands of his Sovereign. He proceeded towards India, -furnished with money and every thing that could forward the objects -of his journey. When he arrived at the Indian capital, he pretended -that the motive which induced him to visit it was the improvement of -his mind, by communication with the wise men for which it was at that -period renowned. Amongst those whose society he courted, he early -discovered one Brahmin, who appeared to him the very model of wisdom. -His efforts were directed to gain his friendship, and believing he had -succeeded, he resolved to intrust him with his real design. - -"I have a secret to confide to you," said he, one day to his friend: -"and you know, 'a sign to the wise is enough.'" "I know what you mean," -said the penetrating Brahmin, "without your sign; you came to rob us of -our knowledge, that you might with it enrich Persia. Your purpose is -deceit; but you have conducted yourself with such consummate address -and ability that I cannot help entertaining a regard for you. I have," -continued the Indian, "observed in you the eight qualities which must -combine to form a perfect man: forbearance, self-knowledge, true -allegiance, judgment in placing confidence, secrecy, power to obtain -respect at court, self-command, and a reserve, both as to speech in -general society and intermeddling with the affairs of others. Now you -have those qualities, and though your object in seeking my friendship -is not pure but interested, nevertheless I have such an esteem for you -that I will incur all hazards to forward your object of stealing our -wisdom." - -The Brahmin obtained the far-sought book, and by his aid and connivance -a copy was soon completed. Noosheerwān, who had been informed of the -success of his literary envoy, was impatient for his return; and when -he arrived at the frontier, he was met by some of the most favoured -courtiers sent by the monarch to conduct him to the capital. He was -welcomed with joy, particularly by Noosheerwān; a great court was held, -at which all who were dignified or learned in the kingdom were present. -Barzooyeh was commanded to read from the volume he had brought: he did -so; and the admiration of its contents was universal. - -"Open my treasury!" said the grateful Noosheerwān; "and let the man who -has conferred such a benefit on his country enter, and take what he -finds most valuable." "I desire neither jewels nor precious metals," -said Barzooyeh; "I have laboured not for them but for the favour of my -Sovereign; and that I have succeeded is rather to be referred to his -auspices, than to my humble efforts. But I have," said he, "a request -to make: the King has directed his able minister, Boozoorchimihr, -to translate this work into Pehlevee; let him be further instructed -that mention be made of me in some part of the book, and that he -particularly specify my family, my profession, and my faith. Let all -this be written, so that my name may go down to future ages, and the -fame of my Sovereign be spread throughout the world." - -The King was delighted with this further proof of the elevated mind -of Barzooyeh; all present applauded his perfect wisdom, and joined in -supplicating that his request might be granted. - -Noosheerwān, addressing the assembly, said--"You have witnessed -the noble disinterestedness of this man, you know how faithfully -he has discharged his duty, and what difficulties and dangers he -has encountered and overcome in my service. I desired to enrich him -with jewels and money, but such rewards have no value in his mind, -his generous heart is above them; he has only asked that his name -shall have a separate mention, and that his life up to this date -shall be faithfully written. Let it," said the Monarch, turning to -Boozoorchimihr, "have a place at the very commencement of that book of -wisdom which he has procured for his country." - -The above is the substance of the story, as given in the Persian -translation of this work, made by Aboo'l-Fazl, and called -Eiyār-e-Dānish, or the Touchstone of Wisdom; and we have in the same -volume some particulars of the religious tenets, or rather doubts, of -the philosophic Barzooyeh, which merit a short mention. - -The wise doctor, who is made to speak in his own person, expresses -himself to this effect:--"The questions regarding the attributes of the -Creator, and the nature of futurity, have been sources of never-ending -doubt and discussion. Every one deems his own opinions regarding these -important subjects as the only true ones, and his life is wasted in -efforts to raise his own sect and to disparage others; but how many of -these persons are mere self-worshippers, in whom there is not a trace -of real religion, or of the knowledge of God! - -"How deeply do I regret that time which I myself lost in pursuit of -these vain imaginations, searching every path, but never finding the -true way, and never even discovering a guide. I have consulted the wise -and learned of all religions as to the origin of that faith in which -they believed; but I have found them only busied with propping up their -own notions, and trying to overset those of others. - -"At last, finding no medicine for the sickness of my heart, and no balm -for the wounds of my soul, I came to a conclusion, that the foundation -of all these sects was self-conceit. I had heard nothing that a wise -man could approve; and I thought that if I gave my faith to their -creed, I should be as foolish as the poor thief who, by an unmeaning -word, was deluded to his destruction. - -"Some thieves mounted to the top of a rich man's house; but he, hearing -their footsteps, and guessing their object, waked his wife, to whom he -whispered what had occurred. 'I shall feign sleep,' said he to her; 'do -you pretend to awake me, and commence a conversation, in a tone loud -enough to be heard by the thieves. Demand of me with great earnestness -how I amassed my wealth; and, notwithstanding my refusal, urge me to -a confession.' - -"The woman did as she was desired, but the husband replied, 'Do forbear -such questions; perhaps if I give you true answers somebody may hear, -and I may be exposed to disagreeable consequences.' - -"This denial to gratify her curiosity only made the lady more earnestly -repeat her interrogatories. Apparently wearied with her importunities, -the husband said, 'If I comply with your wishes, it will be contrary to -the maxim of the wise, who have said, 'Never tell a secret to a woman.'" - -"'Who,' said the irritated lady, 'do you take me for? Am not I the -cherished wife of your bosom?' 'Well, well,' said the man, 'be patient, -for God's sake; as you are my true and confidential friend, I suppose -I must tell you all; but never reveal to any one what you shall now -hear.' She made a thousand protestations that his secret should never -pass her lips. The husband appearing quite satisfied, proceeded to -state as follows: - -"'Learn, my dear wife, that all my wealth is plunder. I was possessed -of a mysterious charm, by which, when standing on moonlight nights -near the walls of the houses of the rich, I could, by repeating the -word Sholim, Sholim, Sholim, seven times, and at the same time laying -my hand on a moonbeam, vault on the terrace; when there, I again -exclaimed, Sholim, Sholim, Sholim, seven times, and with the utmost -ease jumped down into the house, and again pronouncing Sholim, Sholim, -Sholim, seven times, all the riches in the house were brought to my -view. I took what I liked best, and for the last time calling out -Sholim, Sholim, Sholim, I sprung through the window with my booty; -and through the blessing of this charm, I was not only invisible, but -preserved from even the suspicion of guilt. - -"'This is the mode in which I have accumulated that great wealth with -which you are surrounded. But beware and reveal not this secret; let no -mortal know it, or the consequences may be fatal to us all.' - -"The robbers, who had anxiously listened to this conversation, -treasured up with delight the magic words. Some time afterwards the -leader of the band, believing all in the house asleep, and having got -upon the window, called out Sholim, Sholim, Sholim, seven times, -and springing forward fell headlong into the room. The master of the -dwelling, who was awake, expecting this result, instantly seized the -fellow, and began to soften[33] his shoulders with a cudgel, saying, -'Have I all my life been plaguing mankind in acquiring wealth just to -enable a fellow like you to tie it up in a bundle and carry it away; -but now tell me who you are?' The thief replied, 'I am that senseless -blockhead that a breath of yours has consigned to dust. The proverb,' -said the wretched man, 'is completely verified in my fate; I have -spread my carpet for prayer on the surface of the waters.' But the -measure of my misfortune is full; I have only one request to make, that -you now put a handful of earth over me.' - -"In fine," adds Barzooyeh, "I came to the conclusion, that if, without -better proof than delusive words, I were to follow any of the modes of -faith which I have described, my final condition would be no better -than that of the fool in this tale, who trusted to Sholim, Sholim, -Sholim. - -"I said therefore to my soul, if I run once more after these pursuits, -a life would not be sufficient; my end approaches, and if I continue -in the maze of worldly concerns I shall lose that opportunity I now -possess, and be unprepared for the great journey which awaits me. - -"As my desire was righteous, and my search after truth honest, my mind -was favoured with the conviction that it was better to devote myself to -those actions which all faiths approve, and which all who are wise and -good applaud. - -"By the blessing of God, after I was released from such a state of -distraction, I commenced my efforts; I endeavoured to the utmost of my -power to do good, and to cease from causing pain to animals, or injury -to men." - -The wise physician adds in this passage a list of all the virtues after -which he sought, and all the vices he shunned. This list is long, and -appears to me to include the whole catalogue of human virtues and -vices. Suffice it here to say, that his biographer assures us that -his latter end was blessed, and that he left behind him a name as -celebrated for virtue as it was for wisdom. - -FOOTNOTES: - -[32] Ashkakas Bāshee. - -[33] This is a literal translation. - - - - -CHAPTER X. - -Fable of the Two Cats--Preamble to Persian Treaty--Apologues from -Sādee---Letter from Nizām-ool-Moolk to Mahomed Shāh--Death of Yezdijird. - - -The preceding chapter concluded with an episode upon the life and -opinions of the favoured physician of Noosheerwān. I must in this -return to my subject, the elucidation of the rise and progress of -apologues and fables. - -It will be admitted by all, that the Persians, in the luxuriance of -their imaginations, have embellished wonderfully the less artificial -writings of the Hindus. The lowest animal they introduce into a -fable speaks a language which would do honour to a king. All nature -contributes to adorn the metaphorical sentence; but their perfection -in that part of composition called the Ibāret-e-Rengeen, or Florid -Style, can only be shown by example, and for that purpose I have made -a literal translation of the fable of the "Two Cats;" from which I -suspect we have borrowed ours, of the "Town and Country Mouse." - -"In former days there was an old woman, who lived in a hut more -confined than the minds of the ignorant, and more dark than the -tombs of misers. Her companion was a cat, from the mirror of whose -imagination the appearance of bread had never been reflected, nor had -she from friends or strangers ever heard its name. It was enough that -she now and then scented a mouse, or observed the print of its feet on -the floor; when, blessed by favouring stars, or benignant fortune, one -fell into her claws, - - 'She became like a beggar who discovers a treasure of gold; - Her cheeks glowed with rapture, and past grief was consumed - by present joy.'[34] - -This feast would last for a week or more; and while enjoying it she was -wont to exclaim-- - - 'Am I, O God! when I contemplate this, in a dream or awake? - Am I to experience such prosperity after such adversity?' - -"But as the dwelling of the old woman was in general the mansion of -famine to this cat, she was always complaining, and forming extravagant -and fanciful schemes. One day, when reduced to extreme weakness, she -with much exertion reached the top of the hut; when there, she observed -a cat stalking on the wall of a neighbour's house, which, like a fierce -tiger, advanced with measured steps, and was so loaded with flesh that -she could hardly raise her feet. The old woman's friend was amazed to -see one of her own species so fat and sleek, and broke out into the -following exclamation: - - 'Your stately strides have brought you here at last; - pray tell me from whence you come? - From whence have you arrived with so lovely an appearance? - You look as if from the banquet of the Khan of Khatāi. - Where have you acquired such a comeliness? - and how came you by that glorious strength?' - -The other answered, 'I am the Sultan's crum-eater. Each morning, -when they spread the convivial table, I attend at the palace, and -there exhibit my address and courage. From among the rich meats and -wheat-cakes I cull a few choice morsels; I then retire and pass my time -till next day in delightful indolence.' - -"The old dame's cat requested to know what rich meat was, and what -taste wheat-cakes had? 'As for me,' she added, in a melancholy tone, -'during my life, I have neither eat nor seen any thing but the old -woman's gruel and the flesh of mice.' The other, smiling, said, 'This -accounts for the difficulty I find in distinguishing you from a spider. -Your shape and stature is such as must make the whole generation of -cats blush; and we must ever feel ashamed while you carry so miserable -an appearance abroad. - - 'You certainly have the ears and tail of a cat, - But in other respects you are a complete spider.' - -Were you to see the Sultan's palace, and to smell his delicious -viands, most undoubtedly those withered bones would be restored; you -would receive new life; you would come from behind the curtain of -invisibility into the plain of observation: - - 'When the perfume of his beloved passes over the tomb of a lover, - Is it wonderful that his putrid bones should be re-animated?' - -"The old woman's cat addressed the other in the most supplicating -manner: 'Oh, my sister!' she exclaimed, 'have I not the sacred claims -of a neighbour upon you; are we not linked in the ties of kindred? what -prevents your giving a proof of friendship, by taking me with you when -next you visit the palace? Perhaps from your favour plenty may flow to -me, and from your patronage I may attain dignity and honour. - - 'Withdraw not from the friendship of the honourable; - Abandon not the support of the elect.' - -"The heart of the sultan's crum-eater was melted by this pathetic -address; she promised her new friend should accompany her on the next -visit to the palace. The latter overjoyed went down immediately from -the terrace, and communicated every particular to the old woman, who -addressed her with the following counsel: - -"'Be not deceived, my dearest friend, with the worldly language you -have listened to; abandon not your corner of content, for the cup of -the covetous is only to be filled by the dust of the grave; and the eye -of cupidity and hope can only be closed by the needle of mortality and -the thread of fate. - - 'It is content that makes men rich; - Mark this, ye avaricious, who traverse the world: - He neither knows nor pays adoration to his God, - Who is dissatisfied with his condition and fortune.' - -But the expected feast had taken such possession of poor puss's -imagination that the medicinal counsel of the old woman was thrown away. - - 'The good advice of all the world is like wind in a cage, - Or water in a sieve, when bestowed on the headstrong.' - -"To conclude, next day, accompanied by her companion, the half-starved -cat hobbled to the Sultan's palace. Before this unfortunate wretch -came, as it is decreed that the covetous shall be disappointed, an -extraordinary event had occurred, and, owing to her evil destiny, -the water of disappointment was poured on the flame of her immature -ambition. The case was this; a whole legion of cats had, the day -before, surrounded the feast, and made so much noise, that they -disturbed the guests, and in consequence the Sultan had ordered that -some archers, armed with bows from Tartary, should, on this day, be -concealed, and that whatever cat advanced into the field of valour, -covered with the shield of audacity, should, on eating the first -morsel, be overtaken with their arrows. The old dame's puss was not -aware of this order. The moment the flavour of the viands reached her, -she flew, like an eagle to the place of her prey. - -"Scarcely had the weight of a mouthful been placed in the scale to -balance her hunger, when a heart-dividing arrow pierced her breast. - - 'A stream of blood rushed from the wound. - She fled, in dread of death, after having exclaimed, - Should I escape from this terrific archer, - I will be satisfied with my mouse and the miserable hut - of my old mistress. - My soul rejects the honey if accompanied by the sting. - Content, with the most frugal fare, is preferable.'" - -This fable is a fair specimen of the style of such compositions; but it -is in the deebāchehs, or introductions to letters or books, that "The -fiery steed of the two-tongued pen" (meaning a split reed) is allowed -to run wild amidst the rich pasture of the verdant field of imagination. - -A better proof of the latitude taken on such occasions cannot be given -than in the preamble to the treaty concluded by the Elchee on his first -mission to Persia, of which the following is a literal translation:-- -"After the voice is raised to the praise and glory of the God of the -world, and the brain is perfumed with the scent of the saints and -prophets, to whom be health and glory; whose rare perfections are -perpetually chanted by birds[35] of melodious notes, furnished with -two, three, and four pairs of wings; and to the Highest, seated in the -heavens, for whom good has been predestinated; and the perfume mixed -with musk, which scenteth the celestial mansions of those that sing -hymns in the ethereal sphere, and to the light of the flame of the Most -High, which gives radiant splendour to the collected view of those who -dwell in the heavenly regions; the clear meaning of the treaty, which -has been established on a solid basis, is fully explained on this -page; and as it is fixed as a principle of law, that, in this world of -existence and trouble, in this universe of creation and concord, there -is no action among those of mankind which tends more to the perfection -of the human race, or to answer the end of their being and existence, -than that of cementing friendship, and of establishing intercourse, -communication, and connexion betwixt each other. The image reflected -from the mirror of accomplishment is a tree fruitful and abundant, -and one that produces good both now and hereafter. To illustrate the -allusions that it has been proper to make, and explain these metaphors, -worthy of exposition at this happy period of auspicious aspect, a -treaty has been concluded between the high in dignity, the exalted in -station, attended by fortune, of great and splendid power, the greatest -among the high viziers in whom confidence is placed, the faithful of -the powerful government, the adorned with greatness, power, glory, -splendour, and fortune, Hajee Ibrahim Khan; on being granted leave, and -vested with authority from the porte of the high king, whose court is -like that of Solomon; the asylum of the world; the sign of the power -of God; the jewel in the ring of kings; the ornament in the cheek of -eternal empire; the grace of the beauty of sovereignty and royalty; -the king of the universe, like Caherman; the mansion of mercy and -justice; the phoenix of good fortune; the eminence of never-fading -prosperity; the king powerful as Alexander, who has no equal among the -princes, exalted to majesty by the Heavens on this globe; a shade from -the shade of the Most High; a Khoosroo, whose saddle is the moon, and -whose stirrup is the new moon; a prince of great rank, before whom the -sun is concealed. * * * * * * * And the high in dignity; the great -and mighty in power; the ornament of those acquainted with manners -******; delegated from the sublime quarter of the high in power seated -on a throne; the asylum of the world; the chief jewel in the crown -of royalty and sovereignty; the anchor of the vessel of victory and -fortune; the ship on the sea of glory and empire; the blazing sun in -the sky of greatness and glory; lord of the countries of England and -India; may God strengthen his territories, and establish his glory and -command upon the seas, in the manner explained in his credentials! -which are sealed with the seal of the most powerful, and most glorious, -possessing fortune, the origin of rank, splendour, and nobility; the -ornament of the world; the accomplisher of the works of mankind; the -Governor-General of India!" - -This preamble is not less remarkable for its flowery diction than for -the art by which it saves the dignity of the king of Persia from the -appearance of treating with any one below the rank of a monarch. It is -also curious to observe, that after introducing the king of England, -how skilfully he is limited to an undisputed sovereignty of the seas, -that his power may not clash with that of the mighty Khoosroo of the -day, "whose saddle is the moon, and whose stirrup is the new moon," in -his dominion over the earth! - -Speaking on the above subjects to Aga Meer, I asked him if their -monarchs were as much delighted with this hyperbolical style as the -Meerzās or Secretaries. "Not at all," said he: "the late king, Aga -Mahomed, who was remarkable for his hatred of ornament and show -in every form, when his secretaries began with their flattering -introductions, used to lose all temper, and exclaim, 'To the contents, -you scoundrel.'"[36] "Flowery introductions," said the Meer, "if he -had lived long enough, would have gone out of fashion; but the present -king prides himself upon being a fine writer, both in prose and verse, -and the consequence is, as you see in the preamble of this treaty, a -composition which I know was honoured by his particular approbation." - -It is but justice to some of the most distinguished Persian authors -to add, that there are many exceptions to this redundant style of -composition. In the pages of their greatest poets, Firdousee, Nizāmee, -Sādee, and Anwerree, we meet with many passages as remarkable for the -beauty and simplicity of the expression, as the truth and elevation -of the sentiments; and many of their historians have given us plain -narrations of facts, unencumbered with those ornaments and metaphors -which are so popular with the generality of their countrymen. - -How simply and beautifully has Sādee depicted the benefit of good -society in the following well-known apologue! - -"One day as I was in the bath, a friend of mine put into my hand a -piece of scented clay. I took it, and said to it, 'Art thou musk or -ambergris, for I am charmed with thy perfume?' It answered, 'I was -a despicable piece of clay, but I was some time in the company of -the rose; the sweet quality of my companion was communicated to me, -otherwise I should be only a bit of clay, as I appear to be!'" - -And in another[37] he has given, with equal force and simplicity, the -character of true affection:-- - -"There was an affectionate and amiable youth who was betrothed to a -beautiful girl. I have read, that as they were sailing in the great -sea they fell together into a whirlpool: when a mariner went to the -young man, that he might catch his hand, and save him from perishing -in that unhappy juncture, he called aloud, and pointed to his mistress -from the midst of the waves: 'Leave me, and save my beloved!' The whole -world admired him for that speech; and when expiring, he was heard -to say--'Learn not the tale of love from that wretch who forgets his -beloved in the hour of danger.'" - -We often meet with Persian letters written in a style at once clear and -nervous. Of these there cannot be a better example than that addressed -by Nizām-ool-Moolk, the predecessor of the present Soobāh, or ruler -of the Deccan, to Mahomed Shāh, the weak and luxurious Emperor of -Delhi. This letter, besides the merit of its style, possesses that of -conveying a just idea of what Mahomedans conceive to be the duties and -pursuits of a good and great monarch, a character which is with them -invariably associated with that of a military conqueror. - -The following extracts from this well-known production are very -literal: - -"It is the duty of princes to see that the laws are strictly obeyed; -that the honour of their subjects be preserved inviolate; that justice -be rendered to all men; and that loyal nobles and ancient pillars of -the state, whose claims to reward are established and acknowledged, -be distinguished according to their merits. It is their duty, too, to -seek for pleasure in woods and deserts;[38] to labour unremittingly in -the chastisement of the seditious and refractory; to watch over the -rights and happiness of the lower order of their subjects; to shun the -society of the mean, and to abstain from all prohibited practices, to -the end that none of their people may be able to transgress against the -precepts of religion or morality. - -"It is also the duty of princes to be constantly employed in enlarging -their dominions, and in encouraging and rewarding their soldiery; it -being in the seat of his saddle alone that a king can properly repose. -It was in conformity to this opinion the ancestors[39] of your majesty -established it as a domestic rule, that their wives should be delivered -on their saddle-cloths, although the moment of child-birth is of all -others the one wherein convenience and comfort are most consulted. And -they ordained that this usage should invariably be observed by their -descendants, to the end that these might never forget the hardy and -manly character of their progenitors, or give themselves up to the -slothful and enervating luxury of palaces. - -"It is not in the melodious notes of the musician, or the soft tones of -the mimic singer, that true and delightful harmony consists; but it is -in the clash of arms, the thunder of cannon, and in the piercing sound -of the trumpet, which assembles together the ranks in the field of -battle. It is not by decking out the charms of a favourite female that -power and dominion are to be maintained, but by manfully wielding the -sword; nor is it in celebrating the Hoolee[40] with base eunuchs, that -men of real spirit are seen to sprinkle each other with red, but it is -in the conflict of heroes with intrepid enemies. - -"It being solely with the view of correcting the errors of your -Majesty's government, and of restoring its ancient splendour, that -the meanest of your servants has been moved, by the warmth of his -zeal and attachment, to impart his sentiments to your Majesty, he has -made up his mind to the consequences of this well-meant freedom, and -will cheerfully submit to his fate; being in the mean time, however, -determined (God willing) to persevere in the design which he has -formed, of endeavouring to re-establish the affairs of the empire by -every means that may be consistent with his duty and with propriety." - -The affecting death of Yezdijird, the last of the Kaiānian race of -kings, affords a fair specimen of that plain and distinct style in -which some of the best histories of Persia are written. It is as -follows: - -"When the inhabitants of Merv heard that Yezdijird had fled from -Persia, and was within their territory, they were anxious to apprehend -and destroy him. They accordingly addressed a letter to Tanjtākh, the -King of Tartary, stating, 'The King of Persia has fled from the Arabs -and taken refuge with us; we are not inclined to be his adherents, -we are more favourably inclined towards you, whose approach we -desire, that we may be freed from him, and place ourselves under your -protection.' - -"As soon as Tanjtākh received this letter he desired to gain possession -of Merv, and marched with a considerable army towards that city. -Yezdijird, hearing of his near approach, and of the force by which he -was accompanied, departed from the Cāravānserāi where he had alighted, -at midnight, unattended and undetermined where to go. As he walked -straight forward, he saw a light on the side of a stream, to which he -directed his footsteps. He found a miller engaged in the labours of -his mill, to whom he said, 'I am a man in desperate circumstances, and -have an enemy whom I have every reason to dread; afford me an asylum -for this one night; to-morrow I will give you what may make you easy -for life.' The miller replied, 'Enter that mill, and remain there.' -Yezdijird went into the mill, and laying sorrow aside, went composedly -to sleep. When the miller's servants observed that he was gone to rest, -and entirely off his guard, they armed themselves with clubs, and -falling upon him slew him. Having done this they stripped the body of -the gold and silver ornaments, the imperial robe, and the crown: then -taking the corpse by the feet, they dragged it along, and threw it into -the mill-dam. - -"Next day Tanjtākh arrived at Merv, and the inhabitants sought -Yezdijird in every direction. By chance the miller being met, was -interrogated. He denied having any knowledge of him; but one of his -servants, who was dressed in a woollen garment, having come before -them, they, discovering that he smelt strongly of perfume, tore open -his garment, and found Yezdijird's imperial robe, scented with ottar -and other essences, hid in his bosom. They now examined all the other -servants, and found that each had some article secreted about his -person; and after being put to the torture they confessed the whole -transaction. - -"Tanjtākh immediately sent people to search the mill-dam for the body, -which they soon found and laid before him. When he saw the corpse of -the king he wept bitterly, and ordered it to be embalmed with spices -and perfumes; and he further directed, that after it was wrapt, -according to the usage of the Kaiānian monarchs, in a shroud, and -placed in a coffin, it should be sent to Persia to be interred in the -same place, and with the same ceremonies, as other sovereigns of the -race of Kaiān. - -"Tanjtākh also commanded that the miller and his servants should be put -to death." - -What has been said in this chapter, and the examples of the various -styles with which my opinions have been illustrated, will satisfy the -reader that the mine of Persian literature contains every substance, -from the dazzling diamond to the useful granite, and that its materials -may be employed with equal success to build castles in the air or -upon the earth. My prejudices are, I confess, in favour of the former -fabrics, which in the East are constructed with a magnificence unknown -to the graver spirits of our Western hemisphere. - -FOOTNOTES: - -[34] This, with some other verses in the fable, are from Persian poets -of celebrity, whose stanzas it is an invariable usage to introduce in -such compositions. - -[35] A metaphorical name for angels. - -[36] Be-mezmoon Badbakht. - -[37] Both these Apologues have been translated by Sir W. Jones. - -[38] Alluding to hunting and other field sports. - -[39] The Princes of Tartary. The country we term Tartary is by the -Asiatics called Tūrkistan. We have given the name of a small tribe of -Moghuls to the whole region inhabited by that and other races, in the -same manner as the Oriental nations called Europe Faringastān, or the -country of the Franks, because they first became acquainted with the -people of France. - -[40] A remarkable festival held in India to celebrate the commencement -of the new year, in which they fling red powder at one another: it -commences at the vernal equinox. - - - - -CHAPTER XI. - - Shiraz--Shaikh-ool-Islām, or Chief Judge--Story of - Abd-ool-Kādir--Entertainments--Derveesh Seffer--Story of Abdūlla of - Khorassan--Persian Poet. - - -Our only occupation at Shiraz was feasting, visiting, and giving and -receiving presents. The cupidity of the Persians exceeded all bounds, -and ministers, courtiers, merchants, wits, and poets, were running a -race for the Elchee's favour, which was often accompanied by a watch, -a piece of chintz, or of broadcloth. Their conduct confirmed me in a -belief I had imbibed at Abusheher, that all the Persians were crafty -and rapacious rogues. I like to decide quickly; it saves trouble; and -when once decided, I am particularly averse to believe my judgment is -not infallible. - -The Envoy had hired, as before noticed, for his Persian secretary, -a mild moderate man, who appeared to have both good sense and good -principle: but although some time had elapsed, and I had watched him -narrowly without discerning a flaw, I attributed this to his art, -and I therefore gave little heed to his reasoning when he used to -plead for his countrymen, urging (as he often did), that, from our -being strangers, and from our reputation for wealth, generosity, and -inexperience, we were naturally exposed to the attacks of the cunning -and designing, from whose conduct we drew general inferences, which -were not quite fair. "We are not all so bad as you think us," the good -Aga Meer used to say, with a smile; "we have some redeeming characters; -these may be rare, but still they exist; but that, you English will as -yet hardly believe." He used frequently to mention to me, as one, a -relation of his own, the Shaikh-ool-Islām, or Chief Judge and Priest of -Shiraz: "He was," he said, "a person who combined sense and information -with piety and humility. He has never come," added he, "like these -greedy nobles and hungry poets, to prey upon the munificence of the -Elchee; and when the latter, hearing that his sight was weak, sent him -a pair of spectacles beautifully mounted in silver, he returned them, -requesting a pair set in common tortoise-shell." Though I heard the -account of this paraded humility with a smile, I was very happy to -find we were to meet this paragon of modest merit at a breakfast, to -which Mahomed Hoosein Khan, the son of the minister Hajee Ibrahim, had -invited the Envoy. - -The party assembled at the garden of Sādee, and we were seated near -a fountain close to the tomb of the Persian moralist. There was some -punctilio in taking our places: but the Elchee, though a stickler for -rank with the temporal lords, insisted upon giving the highest seat -to the Shaikh-ool-Islām, who at last consented to take it, observing, -the compliment, he felt, was not personal, but meant to his situation -as a minister of religion. I sat near, and listened attentively to -his conversation, in the hope of detecting the Persian, but was not -successful. "You must," he said to the Envoy, "believe me to be void of -rational curiosity, and a man who affects humility, because I have not -only never been to pay my respects, but when you sent me these costly -and beautiful spectacles, I solicited a cheaper and less showy pair. In -both instances, however, I acted against my personal inclinations from -an imperative sense of duty. My passion," said the Shaikh, "is to hear -the history, the manners, and usages of foreign countries; and where -could I have such an opportunity of gratifying my curiosity as in your -society? I was particularly pleased with the silver spectacles; the -glasses suited my eyes; and others in my house besides myself," said -he, smiling, "thought they were very becoming. But I was forced in both -cases to practise self-denial. The poor have no shield between them -and despotic power, but persons in my condition; and they naturally -watch our conduct with great vigilance and jealousy: had I, for my own -gratification, visited you, and displayed on my person the proofs of -your liberality, they would have thought their judge was like others, -and have lost some portion of their confidence in my best efforts to -protect them. Besides, ministers and courtiers would have rejoiced in -my departure from those rigid rules, the observance of which enables -us expounders of the Koran to be some check upon them. These were my -motives," concluded the Shaikh-ool-Islām, "for a conduct which must -have seemed almost rude; but you will now understand it, and not -condemn me." - -The Envoy was evidently delighted with his new friend, and their -conversation was protracted for several hours. The Shaikh-ool-Islām -endeavoured to impress him with a favourable opinion of the law of -which he was an organ, and illustrated his arguments with anecdotes of -religious and learned men, of which I shall give those that struck me -as the happiest. - -The celebrated Aboo Yūsuph, he said, who was chief judge of Bagdad -in the reign of the Caliph Hādee, was a very remarkable instance of -that humility which distinguishes true wisdom. His sense of his own -deficiencies often led him to entertain doubts, where men of less -knowledge and more presumption were decided. "It is related of this -judge," said the Shaikh-ool-Islām, "that on one occasion, after a very -patient investigation of facts, he declared that his knowledge was not -competent to decide upon the case before him." "Pray, do you expect," -said a pert courtier, who heard this declaration, "that the caliph is -to pay your ignorance?" "I do not," was the mild reply; "the caliph -pays me, and well, for what I do know; if he were to attempt to pay me -for what I do not know, the treasures of his empire would not suffice." - -The orthodox Shaikh spoke with more toleration than I expected of -the Soofees, who, from the wild and visionary doctrines which they -profess, are in general held up by the Mahomedan priests as objects of -execration. "There were," he observed, "many good and most exemplary -men included in this sect, merely because they were enthusiasts in -religion. Besides," said the Shaikh, "both our poets, Hāfiz and Sādee, -but particularly the former, were Soofees; and what native of Shiraz -can pass a harsh sentence upon them? We must," he continued, "lament -the errors of Soofees in consideration of their virtues; and even in -their wildest wanderings they convey the most important lessons--for -instance, how simply and beautifully has Abd-ool-Kādir of Ghilan -impressed us with the love of truth in a story of his childhood."[41] - -After stating the vision which made him entreat of his mother to allow -him to go to Bagdad and devote himself to God, he thus proceeds. "I -informed her of what I had seen, and she wept: then taking out eighty -dinars, she told me that as I had a brother, half of that was all my -inheritance; she made me swear, when she gave it me, never to tell -a lie, and afterwards bade me farewell, exclaiming, 'Go, my son, I -consign thee to God; we shall not meet again till the day of judgment.' -I went on well," he adds, "till I came near to Hamadān, when our -kāfillah was plundered by sixty horsemen: one fellow asked me, 'what I -had got?' 'Forty dinars,' said I, 'are sewed under my garments.' The -fellow laughed, thinking, no doubt, I was joking with him. 'What have -you got?' said another; I gave him the same answer. When they were -dividing the spoil, I was called to an eminence where the chief stood: -'What property have you got my little fellow?' said he. 'I have told -two of your people already,' I replied, 'I have forty dinars sewed up -carefully in my clothes!' He ordered them to be ript open, and found -my money.--'And how came you,' said he, with surprise, 'to declare so -openly, what has been so carefully hidden?' 'Because,' I replied, 'I -will not be false to my mother, to whom I have promised that I will -never tell a lie,' 'Child,' said the robber, 'hast thou such a sense -of thy duty to thy mother at thy years, and am I insensible, at my -age, of the duty I owe to my God? Give me thy hand, innocent boy,' -he continued, 'that I may swear repentance upon it.' He did so--his -followers were all alike struck with the scene. 'You have been our -leader in guilt,' said they to their chief, 'be the same in the path of -virtue;' and they instantly, at his order, made restitution of their -spoil, and vowed repentance on my hand." - -The Elchee, before this party separated, endeavoured to persuade the -high priest to allow him the pleasure of a more frequent intercourse; -but his kind invitations were declined in a manner and for reasons -which satisfied me I had at least met with one good Persian. - -While at Shiraz, we were entertained by the prince, his ministers, and -some of the principal inhabitants. A breakfast was given to the Elchee, -at a beautiful spot near the Hazār Bāgh, or thousand gardens, in the -vicinity of Shiraz; and we were surprised and delighted to find that -we were to enjoy this meal on a stack of roses. On this a carpet was -laid, and we sat cross-legged like the natives. The stack, which was as -large as a common one of hay in England, had been formed without much -trouble from the heaps or cocks of rose-leaves, collected before they -were sent into the city to be distilled. We were told our party was the -first to which such a compliment had been paid. Whether this was the -case or not, our mount of roses, added to the fine climate, verdant -gardens, and clear rills, gave a character of singular luxuriance to -this rural banquet. - -We were at several evening parties. The dinner given by the minister, -Mahomed Nebbee Khan, was the most magnificent. He has been in India; -and some English usages, to please and accommodate us, were grafted on -the Persian. We went at five o'clock in the evening, and were received -in his state hall. In the court-yard, in front of the room in which we -sat, were assembled rope-dancers, wrestlers, musicians, lions, bears, -and monkeys, all of which exhibited their different feats till sunset; -when, after being regaled with coffee, kelliāns, and sweetmeats, we -were conducted to another apartment, where we found a dessert of fruit -very elegantly laid out in the English style. After sitting in this -room for about an hour, we returned to the state hall, which we had no -sooner entered than the fireworks commenced; and though the space where -they were exhibited was very confined, they were the best I ever saw. -The rockets were let off from a frame which kept them together, and -produced a beautiful effect. There was another sort called zembooreh, -or swivels, which made a report like a twelve pounder, and added great -spirit and effect to this exhibition. After it was over we had a most -sumptuous repast of fine pelaws, &c., and iced sherbets. - -The day before we left Shiraz, Derveesh Seffer, my old acquaintance, -paid the Elchee a visit. This remarkable man, who has charge of the -shrines[42] (including those of Sādee and Hāfiz) near Shiraz, is -esteemed one of the best reciters of poetry and tellers of tales in -Persia; and there is no country in the world where more value is placed -upon such talents; he who possesses them in an eminent degree is as -certain of fortune and fame as the first actors in Europe. Derveesh -Seffer, who is honoured by the royal favour, has a very melodious -voice, over which he has such power as to be able to imitate every -sound, from that of the softest feminine to the harshest masculine -voice. The varied expression of his countenance is quite as astonishing -as his voice, and his action is remarkably graceful, and always suited -to his subject. His memory is not only furnished with an infinite -variety of stories, but with all the poetry of his country; this -enables him to give interest and effect to the most meagre tale, by -apt quotations from the first authors of Persia. Those told by persons -like him usually blend religious feeling with entertainment, and are -meant to recommend charity; but I cannot better conclude this account -of my friend the Derveesh than by giving a tale which he recited to -the Envoy, with a view no doubt of impressing him with a belief that -worldly success might be promoted by munificence, in any shape, to -shrines like those of which he had charge. - -The Derveesh having seated himself in a proper position, commenced with -a fine passage from the poet Nizāmee in praise of those who, possessing -the talent of recitation, give currency and effect to the noble -thoughts of departed genius. After a short pause he began his tale. - -"In a sequestered vale of the fruitful province of Khorassan there -lived a peasant called Abdūlla. He had married a person in his own rank -of life, who, though very plain in her appearance, had received from -her fond father the fine name of Zeebā, or the beautiful; to which act -of parental folly the good woman owed the few seeds of vanity that -mixed in her homely character. It was this feeling that led her to -name her two children Yūsuph and Fatima, conceiving, no doubt, that -the fortunate name of the son of Yācoob, the vizier of Far'oun, and -fascinator of Zuleikhā,[43] would aid the boy in his progress through -life; while there could be no doubt of her little girl receiving equal -advantages from being named after the daughter of the Prophet, and the -wife of the renowned Ali. - -"With all these family pretensions from high names, no man's means -could be more humble, or views more limited, than those of Abdūlla; but -he was content and happy: he was strong and healthy, and laboured for -the reis or squire, who owned the land on which his cottage stood--he -had done so from youth, and had never left, nor ever desired to leave, -his native valley. The wages of his labour were paid in grain and -cloth, sufficient for the food and clothing of his family and himself; -with money he was unacquainted except by name. - -"It happened, however, one day, that the reis was so well pleased with -Abdūlla's exertions that he made him a present of ten piastres. Abdūlla -could hardly express his thanks, he was so surprised and overjoyed at -this sudden influx of wealth. The moment he could get away from his -daily labour he ran home to his wife:--'There, my Zeebā,' said he, -'there are riches for you!' and he spread the money before her. The -astonishment and delight of the good woman was little less than that -of her husband, and the children were called to share in the joy of -their parents. 'Well,' said Abdūlla, still looking at the money, 'the -next thing to consider is what is to be done with this vast sum. The -reis has given me to-morrow as a holiday, and I do think, my dear wife, -if you approve, I will go to the famous city of Meshed; I never saw -it, but it is not above six or seven fersekhs distant. I will pay my -devotions at the shrine of the holy Imām Mehdee, upon whom be God's -blessing, and like a good Mahomedan deposit there two piastres--one -fifth of my wealth--and then I will go to the great bazar, of which I -have heard so much, and purchase with the remainder every thing you, my -dear wife and children, can wish; tell me what you would like best. - -"'I will be moderate,' said Zeebā; 'I want nothing but a piece of -handsome silk for a dress; I think it would be becoming and as she -said so, all the associations to which her father had given birth -when he gave her a name shot across her mind. 'Bring me,' said the -sturdy little Yūsuph, 'a nice horse and a sword.' 'And me,' said -his sister, in a softer tone, 'an Indian handkerchief and a pair of -golden slippers.' 'Every one of these articles shall be here to-morrow -evening,' said Abdūlla, as he kissed his happy family; and early next -morning, taking a stout staff in his hand, he commenced his journey -towards Meshed. - -"When Abdūlla approached the holy city his attention was first -attracted by the cluster of splendid domes and minarets, which -encircled the tomb of the holy Imām Mehdee, whose roofs glittered with -gold. He gazed with wonder at a sight which appeared to him more like -those which the faithful are promised in heaven, than any thing he ever -expected to see on this earth. Passing through the streets which led -to such magnificent buildings, he could look at nothing but them. When -arrived at the gate of the sacred shrine, he stopped for a moment in -silent awe, and asked a venerable priest, who was reading the Koran, -if he might proceed, explaining at the same time his object. 'Enter, -my brother,' said the old man; 'bestow your alms, and you shall be -rewarded; for one of the most pious of the caliphs has said--'Prayer -takes a man half way to paradise; fasting brings him to its portals; -but these are only opened to him who is charitable." - -"Having deposited, like a good and pious Mussulman, the fifth[44] -of his treasure on the shrine of the holy Imām, Abdūlla went to the -great bazar; on entering which his senses were quite confounded by the -novel sight of the pedestrian crowd hurrying to and fro; the richly -caparisoned horses, the splendid trains of the nobles, and the loaded -camels and mules, which filled the space between rich shops, where -every ware of Europe, India, China, Tartary, and Persia was displayed. -He gazed with open mouth at every thing he saw, and felt for the first -time what an ignorant and insignificant being he had hitherto been. -Though pushed from side to side by those on foot, and often nearly run -over by those on horseback, it was some time before he became aware of -the dangers to which his wonder exposed him. These accidents however -soon put him out of humour with the bustle he had at first so much -admired, and determined him to finish his business and return to his -quiet home. - -"Entering a shop where there was a number of silks, such as he had -seen worn by the family of the reis, he inquired for their finest -pieces. The shopman looked at him, and observing from his dress that -he was from the country, concluded he was one of those rich farmers, -who, notwithstanding the wealth they have acquired, maintain the plain -habits of the peasantry, to whom they have a pride in belonging. He, -consequently, thought he had a good customer; that is, a man who added -to riches but little knowledge of the article he desired to purchase. -With this impression he tossed and tumbled over every piece of silk -in his shop. Abdūlla was so bewildered by their beauty and variety, -that it was long before he could decide; at last he fixed upon one, -which was purple with a rich embroidered border. 'I will take this,' -he said, wrapping it up, and putting it under his arm; 'What is the -price?'--'I shall only ask you, who are a new customer,' said the man, -'two hundred piastres; I should ask any one else three or four hundred -for so exquisite a specimen of manufacture, but I wish to tempt you -back again, when you leave your beautiful lands in the country to -honour our busy town with your presence.' Abdūlla stared, replaced the -silk, and repeated in amazement--'Two--hundred--piastres! you must be -mistaken; do you mean such piastres as these?' taking one out of the -eight he had left in his pocket, and holding it up to the gaze of the -astonished shopkeeper. 'Certainly I do,' said the latter; 'and it is -very cheap at that price.' 'Poor Zeebā!' said Abdūlla, with a sigh at -the thoughts of her disappointment. 'Poor who?' said the silk-mercer. -'My wife,' said Abdūlla. 'What have I to do with your wife?' said the -man, whose tone altered as his chance of sale diminished. 'Why,' said -Abdūlla, 'I will tell you all: I have worked hard for the reis of our -village ever since I was a boy; I never saw money till yesterday, when -he gave me ten piastres. I came to Meshed, where I had never been -before. I had given, like a good Mussulman, a fifth of my wealth to the -Imām Mehdee, the holy descendant of our blessed Prophet, and with the -eight remaining piastres I intend to buy a piece of embroidered silk -for my good wife, a horse and sword for my little boy, and an Indian -handkerchief and a pair of golden slippers for my darling daughter; -and here you ask me two hundred piastres for one piece of silk How am -I to pay you, and with what money am I to buy the other articles? tell -me that,' said Abdūlla, in a reproachful tone. 'Get out of my shop!' -said the enraged vender of silks; 'here have I been wasting my valuable -time, and rumpling my choicest goods, for a fool and a madman! Go along -to your Zeebā and your booby children; buy stale cakes and black sugar -for them, and do not trouble me any more.' So saying he thrust his new -and valued customer out of the door. - -"Abdūlla muttered to himself as he went away, 'No doubt this is a -rascal, but there may be honest men in Meshed; I will try amongst the -horse-dealers; and having inquired where these were to be found, he -hastened to get a handsome pony for Yūsuph. No sooner had he arrived -at the horse market, and made his wishes known, than twenty were -exhibited. As he was admiring one that pranced along delightfully, a -friend, whom he had never seen before, whispered him to beware, that -the animal, though he went very well when heated, was dead lame when -cool. He had nearly made up his mind to purchase another, when the -same man significantly pointed to the hand of the owner, which was -one finger short, and then champing with his mouth and looking at the -admired horse, gave Abdūlla to understand that his beloved boy might -incur some hazard from such a purchase. The very thought alarmed him; -and he turned to his kind friend, and asked if he could not recommend -a suitable animal? The man said, his brother had one, which, if he -could be prevailed upon to part with, would just answer, but he doubted -whether he would sell him; yet as his son, who used to ride this horse, -was gone to school, he thought he might. Abdūlla was all gratitude, and -begged him to exert his influence. This was promised and done; and in a -few minutes a smart little grey horse, with head and tail in the air, -cantered up. The delighted peasant conceived Yūsuph on his back, and, -in a hurry to realize his vision, demanded the price. 'Any other person -but yourself,' said the man, 'should not have him for one piastre less -than two hundred; but as I trust to make a friend as well as a bargain, -I have persuaded my brother to take only one hundred and fifty.' The -astonished Abdūlla stepped back--'Why you horse-dealers,' said he, -'whom I thought were such good men, are as bad as the silk-mercers!' -He then recapitulated to his friend the rise of his present fortune, -and all that had occurred since he entered Meshed. The man had hardly -patience to hear him to a close; 'And have I,' said he, 'been throwing -away my friendship, and hazarding a quarrel with my brethren, by an -over-zealous honesty to please a fool of a bumpkin! Get along to your -Zeebā, and your Yūsuph, and your Fatima, and buy for your young hopeful -the sixteenth share of a jackass! the smallest portion of that animal -is more suited to your means and your mind, than a hair of the tail of -the fine horses you have presumed to look at!' - -"So saying, he went away in a rage, leaving Abdūlla in perfect dismay. -He thought, however, he might still succeed in obtaining some of the -lesser articles; he, however, met with nothing but disappointment: -the lowest priced sword was thirty piastres, the golden slippers were -twenty, and a small Indian handkerchief was twelve, being four piastres -more than all he possessed. - -"Disgusted with the whole scene, the good man turned his steps -towards home. As he was passing through the suburbs he met a holy -mendicant exclaiming, 'Charity, charity! He that giveth to the poor -lendeth to the Lord; and he that lendeth to the Lord shall be repaid -a hundred-fold.' 'What is that you say?' said Abdūlla. The beggar -repeated his exclamation. 'You are the only person I can deal with,' -said the good but simple peasant; 'there are eight piastres--all I -possess; take them, and use them in the name of the Almighty, but -take care that I am hereafter paid a hundred-fold, for without it I -shall never be able to gratify my dear wife and children.' And in the -simplicity of his heart he repeated to the mendicant all which had -occurred, that he might exactly understand the situation in which he -was placed. - -"The holy man, scarcely able to suppress a smile as he carefully folded -up the eight piastres, bade Abdūlla to be of good heart, and rely -upon a sure return. He then left him, exclaiming as before, 'Charity, -charity! He that giveth to the poor lendeth to the Lord; and he that -lendeth to the Lord shall be repaid a hundred-fold.' - -"When Abdūlla came within sight of his cottage, they all ran to meet -him. The breathless Yūsuph was the first who reached his father: -'Where is my horse and my sword?' 'And my Indian handkerchief and -golden slippers?' said little Fatima, who had now come up. 'And my -silk vest?' said Zeebā, who was close behind her daughter. 'But wealth -has changed your disposition, my dear Abdūlla!' said the good woman: -'you have become grave, and no doubt,' she added with a smile, 'so -dignified, that you could not be burdened, but have hired a servant to -bring home the horse and to carry the presents for your family. Well, -children, be patient; we shall see every thing in a few minutes.' -Abdūlla shook his head, but would not speak a word till he entered his -dwelling. He then seated himself on his coarse mat, and repeated all -his adventures, every part of which was heard with temper till his -last act, that of giving his piastres to the mendicant. Zeebā, who -had a little more knowledge of the world than her husband, and whose -mind was ruffled by disappointment, loudly reproached him with his -stupidity and folly in thus throwing away the money he had obtained -by the liberality of the reis, to whom she immediately went and gave -information of all that had occurred. The enraged squire sent for -Abdūlla: 'You blockhead,' said he, 'what have you been about? I, who -am a man of substance, never give more than a copper coin[45] to these -vagabond rascals who go about asking charity; and here you have given -one of them eight piastres; enough to spoil the whole generation; but -he promised you a hundred-fold, and you shall have it to prevent future -folly. Here,' said he to the servants near him, 'seize the fellow, and -give him a hundred stripes!' The order was obeyed as soon as given, and -poor Abdūlla went home on the night of the day following that which -had dawned upon his wealth, sore from a beating, without a coin in -his pocket, out of temper with silk-mercers, horse-dealers, cutlers, -slipper-makers, mendicants, squires, wives, himself, and all the world. - -"Early next morning Abdūlla was awakened by a message, that the reis -wanted him. Before he went he had forgiven his wife, who was much -grieved at the punishment which her indiscretion had brought upon -her husband. He also kissed his children, and bid them be of good -heart, for he might yet, through God's favour, make amends for the -disappointment he had caused them. When he came to the reis, the latter -said, 'I have found a job for you, Abdūlla, that will bring you to your -senses: here, in this dry soil, I mean to dig for water, and you must -toil day after day till it is found.' So saying, he went away, leaving -Abdūlla to his own sad reflections and hard labour He made little -progress the first two days; but on the third, when about six cubits -below the surface, he came upon a brass vessel: on looking into which, -he found it full of round white stones, which were beautiful from their -smoothness and fine lustre. He tried to break one with his teeth, -but could not. 'Well,' said he, 'this is no doubt some of the rice -belonging to the squire which has been turned into stones: I am glad -of it--he is a cruel master; I will, however, take them home--they are -very pretty; and now I recollect I saw some very like them at Meshed -for sale. But what can this be? said Abdūlla to himself, disengaging -another pot from the earth--'Oho! these are darker, they must have been -wheat--but they are very beautiful; and here!' cried he, 'these shining -pieces of glass are finer and brighter than all the rest; but I will -try if they are glass;' and he put one of them between two stones, but -could not break it. - -"Pleased with this discovery, and believing he had got something -valuable, but ignorant what it was, he dug out all he could find, and -putting them into a bag carefully concealed it even from his wife. -His plan was, to obtain a day's leave from his master, and go again -to Meshed, where he had hopes of selling the pretty stones of various -colours for as much money as would purchase the silk vest, the horse, -the sword, the slippers, and the handkerchief. His mind dwelt with -satisfaction on the pleasing surprise it would be to those he loved, to -see him return home, mounted on the horse, and loaded with the other -articles. But while the pious Abdūlla indulged in this dream, he always -resolved that the Imām Mehdee should receive a fifth of whatever wealth -he obtained. - -"After some weeks' hard labour at the well, water was found. The reis -was in good humour, and the boon of a holiday was granted. Abdūlla -departed before daylight, that no one might see the bag which he -carried; when close to Meshed, he concealed it near the root of a tree, -having first taken out two handfuls of the pretty stones, to try what -kind of a market he could make of them. He went to a shop where he had -seen some like them. He asked the man, pointing to those in the shop, -if he would buy any such articles? 'Certainly,' said the jeweller, -for such he was; 'have you one to sell?' 'One!' said Abdūlla, 'I -have plenty.' 'Plenty!' repeated the man. 'Yes: a bag-full.' 'Common -pebbles, I suppose; can you show me any?' 'Look here!' said Abdūlla, -taking out a handful, which so surprised the jeweller that it was -some time before he could speak. 'Will you remain here, honest man,' -said he, 'for a moment,' trembling as he spoke, 'and I will return -instantly.' So saying, he left the shop, but reappeared in a few -minutes with the chief magistrate and some of his attendants. 'There -is the man,' said he; 'I am innocent of all dealings with him: he has -found the long lost treasure of Khoosroo:[46] his pockets are filled -with diamonds, rubies, and pearls, in price and lustre far beyond -any existing; and he says he has a bag-full.' The magistrate ordered -Abdūlla to be searched, and the jewels which had been described were -found. He was then desired to show where he had deposited the bag, -which he did; all were carefully sealed, and carried with Abdūlla to -the governor, by whom he was strictly examined. He told his whole -history from first to last: the receiving of ten piastres; his charity -at the shrine of the Imām; his intended purchases; the conduct of the -mercer, the horse-dealer, the cutler, the slipper-maker; the promises -of the mendicant; the disappointment and anger of his wife; the cruelty -of the reis; the digging of the well; the discovery of the pretty -stones; the plan formed for disposing of them, with the reserve for -further charity: all this was narrated with a clearness and simplicity -that stamped its truth, which was confirmed by the testimony of his -wife and children, who were brought to Meshed. But notwithstanding -this, Abdūlla, his family, and the treasures he had found, were a few -days afterwards despatched for Isfahan, under a guard of five hundred -horsemen. Express couriers were sent before to advise the ministers of -the great Abbas of the discovery which had been made, and of all that -had been done. - -"During these proceedings at Meshed, extraordinary events occurred at -Isfahan. Shāh Abbas the Great saw one night in a dream the holy Imām -Mehdee, clothed in green robes. The saint, after looking steadfastly -at the monarch, exclaimed, 'Abbas, protect and favour my friend!' The -king was much troubled at this dream, and desired his astrologers -and wise men to expound it: but they could not. On the two following -nights the same vision appeared, and the same words were pronounced. -The monarch lost all temper, and threatened the chief astrologer and -others with death, unless they relieved the anxiety of his mind before -the evening of the same day. While preparations were making for their -execution, the couriers from the governor of Meshed arrived, and the -vizier, after perusing the letters, hastened to the king. 'Let the mind -of the refuge[47] of the world be at repose,' he said: 'for the dream -of our monarch is explained. The peasant Abdūlla of Khorassan, who, -though ignorant and poor, is pious and charitable, and who has become -the chosen instrument of Providence for discovering the treasures of -Khoosroo, is the revealed friend of the holy Imām Mehdee, who has -commanded that this good and humble man be honoured by the protection -and favour of the king of kings.' - -"Shāh Abbas listened to the particulars which were written from Meshed -with delight: his mind was quite relieved, and he ordered all his -nobles and his army to accompany him a day's march from Isfahan to -meet the friend of the holy Imām. When the approach of the party was -announced, the king walked from his tent a short distance to meet -them. First came one hundred horsemen; next Abdūlla, with his arms -bound, sitting on a camel; after him, on another, his wife Zeebā, and -followed by their children, Yūsuph and Fatima, riding together on -a third. Behind the prisoners was the treasure. A hundred horsemen -guarded each flank, and two hundred covered the rear. Shāh Abbas made -the camels which carried Abdūlla and his family kneel close to him, and -aided, with his royal hands, to untie the cords by which the good man -was bound, while others released his wife and children. A suit of the -king's own robes were directed to be put upon Abdūlla, and the monarch -led him to a seat close to his throne: but before he would consent to -be seated, he thus addressed his majesty. - -"'O King of the Universe, I am a poor man, but I was contented with my -lot, and happy in my family, till I first knew wealth. From that day my -life has been a series of misfortunes: folly and ambition have made me -entertain wishes out of my sphere, and I have brought disappointment -and misfortune on those I loved best; but now that my death is near, -and it pleases your majesty to amuse yourself with a mock-honour to -your slave, he is satisfied, if your royal clemency will only spare the -lives of that kind woman and these dear children. Let them be restored -to the peace and innocence of their native valley, and deal with me -according to your royal pleasure.' - -"On uttering these words, Abdūlla, overcome by his feelings, burst into -tears. Abbas was himself greatly moved. 'Good and pious man,' he said, -'I intend to honour, not to slay thee. Thy humble and sincere prayers, -and thy charitable offerings at the shrine of the holy Mehdee, have -been approved and accepted. He has commanded me to protect and favour -thee. Thou shalt stay a few days at my capital, to recover from thy -fatigues, and return as governor of that province from which thou hast -come a prisoner. A wise minister, versed in the forms of office, shall -attend thee; but in thy piety and honesty of character I shall find -the best qualities for him who is destined to rule over others. Thy -good wife Zeebā has already received the silk vest she so anxiously -expected; and it shall be my charge,' continued the gracious monarch, -with a smile, 'to see Yūsuph provided with a horse and sword, and that -little Fatima shall have her handkerchief and golden slippers.' - -"The manner as well as the expressions of the king dispelled all -Abdūlla's fears, and filled his heart with boundless gratitude. He was -soon after nominated governor of Khorassan, and became famous over the -country for his humanity and justice. He repaired, beautified, and -richly endowed the shrine of the holy Imām, to whose guardian care he -ever ascribed his advancement. Yūsuph became a favourite of Abbas, and -was distinguished by his skill in horsemanship, and by his gallantry. -Fatima was married to one of the principal nobles, and the good Zeebā -had the satisfaction through life of being sole mistress in her family, -and having no rival in the affection of her husband, who continued to -cherish, in his exalted situation, those ties and feelings which had -formed his happiness in humble life." - -Such is the story of Abdūlla of Khorassan, as given by my friend -Derveesh Seffer; but the difference between perusing it and hearing -him tell it, is that between reading a play and seeing it acted by -the first performers. I had heard him tell this tale ten years before, -when a curious incident occured. Two gentlemen rose to leave the party -when he was commencing: he asked the cause of their departure. "They -do not understand Persian," I said. "That is of no consequence," he -replied; "entreat them to stay, and they will soon find that their -ignorance of the language does not place them beyond my power." His -wishes were explained, and the result proved he was correct; they were -nearly as much entertained as others, and had their feelings almost -equally excited; such was his admirable expression of countenance, and -so varied the intonations of his voice. - -I was pleased to see my friend Derveesh Seffer treated with liberality -by the Elchee. Such conduct towards persons of his character and -profession makes useful impressions. But here, as elsewhere, much -depends upon the selection of proper objects of notice; and it is no -easy matter to resist the constant attempts which are made to obtain -money or presents. - -A poet of Shiraz, named Moollāh Adam, had gone a stage from that city -to present an ode to the Elchee, whom he had in this long and laboured -production compared to Roostem, the hero of Persia, for valour; to -Peerān-Weeseh, the Solomon of Tartary, for wisdom; and to Hātim-Tāi, -the most munificent of Arabian princes, for generosity. He had been -rewarded for his trouble, but was not satisfied, and his genius was -taxed to obtain something more. While we were sitting in the room, at -the gateway of the beautiful garden of Jehān-Noomā, looking at the -mules carrying our baggage towards Isfahan, this votary of the muses -made his appearance: his professed object was to take leave; his real -purpose was to read an epigram of four lines,[48] the concluding one of -which was-- - - "Moollāh Adam neek sā'et yāft." - -This line, from sā'et signifying hour or watch, might either be -translated, - - "Moollāh Adam chose a good (or propitious) hour," - -or, - - "Moollāh Adam got a good watch." - -The animals, laden with the most valuable articles, were at the moment -on the road below the window where we were seated, and the Elchee, -pointing to them, said, "Sā'et goozesht," the hour is past, or, the -watch is gone. The countenance of the poet, which had, on reading his -last line, glistened with expectation, changed for a moment, but was -soon covered with forced smiles, and he declared that he would rather -carry the Elchee's happy reply into the city than ten watches. I -trembled lest this flattery should succeed: it did not; and he departed -apparently in good humour, but inwardly, no doubt, much disappointed. - -FOOTNOTES: - -[41] This story is given in the History of Persia, vol. ii. p. 405. - -[42] Tekkeyahs. - -[43] The frail wife of Potiphar, according to the Mahomedans. - -[44] The Mahomedan law only requires a small deduction on account of -charity from what is necessary for subsistence; but of all superfluous -wealth (and such Abdūlla deemed his ten piastres) true believers were -expected to give one-fifth to the poor. - -[45] "Pool-e-siyāh," literally, black coin. - -[46] Cyrus. There is a common belief in Persia that an immense treasure -was buried by this monarch. - -[47] Jehān-Penāh. - -[48] Roobāi or Quatrain. - - - - -CHAPTER XII. - - Persian Servants--Departure from Shiraz--Persepolis--Tale of the - Labours of Roostem--Anecdote of a Sportsman. - - -The formation of the Elchee's establishment, which had commenced at -Abusheher, was completed at Shiraz. Servants of every description were -hired; and in all cases the preference was given to those who had been -on our first mission; when such were dead, that was transferred to -their brothers, sons, or near relations. - -The Persians are more than good-looking, they are a handsome race of -men. All the public and private servants of the mission were dressed -in silk and cloth tunics, with new lamb's-wool caps, many with silk -and some with shawl waistbands; besides, they were all clean, and had -their beards well-trimmed for the occasion, knowing that, to those who -pretend to figure in the train of an Elchee, personal appearance is of -no slight consequence. - -Thus attended, we proceeded towards the footstool of royalty. Nine -splendidly dressed Jelloodārs or grooms, under the direction of a -Meer-Akhoor, or master of the horse, led nine beautiful horses, richly -caparisoned, with saddles and bridles finely ornamented with gold -and silver. Next came eight Shātirs, or running footmen, dressed in -tunics of yellow cloth, trimmed with silver; and then the Elchee and -suite, followed by a large escort of cavalry, with kettle-drums and -trumpets. On the flanks of this state-line of march were all kinds -of Meerzās,[49] or secretaries, and attendants. Amongst the most -essential of the latter were the Paish-Khidmets, or personal servants, -who prepared kelliāns, or pipes for the Elchee and the gentlemen of -his train. These were mounted, and carried before them, fixed like -holsters, two large cases which contained their kelliāns, and all the -implements thereunto appertaining. The most extraordinary part of their -equipment was two small iron chafing-dishes filled with charcoal, which -hung by chains, dangling below their stirrups. From these grates they -lighted the kelliān, which they held in their hands, presenting their -masters with the end of a long pliant tube, through which the latter -smoked, while the Paish-Khidmets rode a few paces in the rear. - -Our cavalcade always preserved the same order even during our long -night-marches, the tediousness of which suggested that our party wanted -a minstrel to shorten the distance by tales of wonder. This want was -no sooner hinted, than an old groom, called Joozee Beg, came forward -and offered his services. He belonged, he said, to the Zend tribe, and -when its chiefs were kings of Persia he was not neglected. "Moorād Ali -Khan, and Lootf Ali Khan, that miracle of valour," said old Joozee Beg, -"have listened to my voice, when it was exerted to animate[50] their -followers to battle; but these days are gone; a Turkish family wears -the crown of Iran;[51] I am, like others of my race, in indigence and -obscurity, and now recite verses, which princes loved to hear, to men -like myself of low degree; but if the Elchee desires, I will repeat -some lines fit for a soldier to listen to, from the Shāh-Nāmeh of -Firdousee." This prelude gave more pleasure, from its near resemblance -to that of our well-known northern minstrel: - - "No longer courted and caressed, - High placed in hall, a welcome guest, - He poured, to lord and lady gay, - The unpremeditated lay.-- - Old times are past, old manners gone, - A stranger filled the Stuart's throne. - A wandering harper, scorned and poor, - He begged his bread from door to door, - And tuned, to please a peasant's ear, - The harp a king had loved to hear." - -Joozee Beg was told his offer was accepted, and after giving the horse -he led to another, and taking his place in the front of the running -footmen, he began as follows. - -"It is hardly necessary to explain to one with such great knowledge as -the Elchee, and to men of such enlightened understandings as those by -whom he is surrounded, that Siyāvesh, son of Ky-Kāoos, King of Persia, -fled into Tartary, and took refuge with Afrāsiāb, king of that country, -who first gave him his beautiful daughter Feringhees in marriage, and -then put him to death. The widow of the unfortunate prince was left, -with her infant son, the celebrated Ky-Khoosroo,[52] to the persecution -of her tyrannical father, whose conduct provoked the vengeance of the -king and nobles of Persia; but you shall now hear the first battle, in -which the Persians were commanded by that hero Roostem, and the Turks -by their king Afrāsiāb." - -After this prelude, Joozee Beg cleared his throat, and began to recite -in a voice which, though loud and at times almost deafening, was not -without melody. The following is a literal translation of the fight as -given by our minstrel. - -"Hearken to the sound of the drum from two quarters; the restless -warriors are impatient of delay; the trumpet's bray is heard afar; -and the cymbals, clarions, and fifes of India and China join in the -clang of war; the shout of battle reaches the clouds, and the earth -vibrates to the neighing of steeds. When the noise of the approaching -army was heard upon the plain, the report was conveyed to Roostem, the -avenger.[53] They told him the force of Afrāsiāb was near; that his -great army rode over the plain as a proud ship rides upon the seas; -that his troops were in number like ants and locusts, and covered -from the eye of the beholder the mountains, plains, and woods. When -Roostem heard that the army of the King of Turan[54] was in sight, he -placed himself in the centre of his force; Zevāreh, his brother, was -posted in the rear; Ferāmerz, his son, was stationed in front; Toos, -with his band, was placed on the right. They were many in number, but -one in heart.[55] Feribooz, the son of Ky-Kāoos,[56] was on the left, -surrounded by a family of valiant men; Gooderz covered the rear with -his relations, who were all free and independent[57] heroes. The air -was darkened with the swords of the brave, when the glorious standard -of Gāveh[58] was unfurled. - -"The leaders of the army of Turan now arrange their shields. Bahamān -commanded their wing: he was surrounded by men as powerful as they were -valiant. The left was led by Rahrem the renowned, and the centre by -King Afrāsiāb in person. The earth from the hoofs of the horses became -of the colour of an elephant, the air was spotted with lances like the -skin of the leopard. The world had the appearance of a mountain of -iron with a crest of steel. The war-horses neighed, and the standards -fluttered, while the dark-edged swords scattered heads upon the plain. -Peelsem[59] rushed from the centre of the army; his heart was filled -with rage, and his visage covered with frowns. He exclaimed aloud to -the heroes of Iran, 'Where is Roostem? They tell me he is a dragon in -the day of battle.' At this instant a shout was heard from Roostem, -which shook all around. He said to his troops, 'Move not forward from -the spot on which you now are. I go to silence this Peelsem, whose -heart burns with rage, and whose visage is covered with frowns.' -Roostem, foaming with passion, rushed to the front of the battle; -he couched his strong lance, fixed himself in his seat, and raising -his shield to his head, he exclaimed, 'O Peelsem, thou celebrated -warrior, hast thou called me forth that thou mightest consume me with -thy breath?' Thus saying, he struck his lance through Peelsem's body, -and raised him on its point from his saddle, like a light ball. He -continued his charge to the centre of the army of Turan, and casting -the body from the point of his spear, exclaimed, 'Clothe this corpse -of your friend in a pale[60] shroud, for the dark dust has soiled it.' -Now the shout of heroes and the blows of maces are heard, and the -voice of the trumpets shakes the earth. The deep drum sounds from the -back of the elephant to the distance of many miles:[61] the earth was -wearied by the tread of horses. Each pool became like a sea with blood, -and each plain like a mountain from the slain, and every stone was -turned into coral. Many were the proud who were laid low on that day. -Heaven seemed to call for blood, and the breast of a father was devoid -of mercy for his son. From the dark flights of the eagle-feathered -arrows, with their steely points, the air was deprived of the space it -occupied: the clashing of swords reached the skies, and blood flowed -from the boundary of India to the Oxus. The flashing of scimitars and -spears, seen through the thick clouds of dust, appeared like the forked -lightning amid the dark clouds of the firmament. The day was made by -death, black, like the face of an Ethiopian. The numbers of the slain -filled the roads, and the plains were strewed with helmets and shields, -and heads were seen as if lamenting for each other. The hearts of the -army of the King of Turan were broken, and the field of battle became -dark in their sight. 'Our good fortune,' exclaimed Afrāsiāb to his -troops, 'is no longer awake, but sleepeth.' They left the field covered -with iron, silver, and gold; with helmets, lances, and bucklers. The -poorest in the army of Iran became that day a man of wealth, from the -quantity of ornaments and jewels. - - "'Whosoever desireth to succeed, and to avoid trouble and danger, - will not wander in the path of the wicked.'"[62] - -Here our bard ended his battle, which differs in some stanzas from -my copy of Firdousee; but that is not surprising, as I never knew two -copies of this celebrated work that did not differ in a hundred places. - -The attendants of the mission, particularly those who were of the -ancient Persian tribes, and who hate the Tartars, were delighted with -Joozee Beg's battle. We all expressed our satisfaction, and were -assured by the minstrel that we were kaderdāns, judges of merit. But -his delight appeared incomplete, until he heard the Elchee add to his -thanks an order for a present of a few piastres. He then said he was -"happy--he was honoured;" that he had often heard of the fame of the -English nation, but was now, from personal observation, quite satisfied -they were the first people upon earth. - -The journey from Shiraz to Isfahan abounds with remains of the -former glory of Persia. The greatest is the far-famed Persepolis -of the Greeks, the Elemais of the Hebrews, and the Istakhar of the -Persians. Every traveller has described these magnificent ruins, which -the natives of the country distinguish by the name of Chehl-Menār -(forty[63] pillars), and Tekht-e-Jemsheed (throne of Jemsheed). Some -conjecture that it was formerly a palace, others are quite positive it -must have been a temple. I am much too wise to venture on speculations -which have bewildered so many learned men. My reader must therefore be -satisfied with a conversation I had upon this abstruse subject with -some of my fellow-travellers, when I visited these monuments of ancient -grandeur. - -"This building," said Aga Meer, "was the house of Solomon, at least so -I have read in the History of Shiraz." "And what did the foolish writer -of that book know about Solomon?" said Mahomed Hoosein Khan; "but the -author, I suppose, concluded, that because Solomon was the wisest of -men, he must choose Persia as his residence; and every Persian will -agree in such a conclusion." "No doubt," said the mild Aga Meer, either -not understanding the little nabob's sarcasm at the vanity of his -countrymen, or not wishing to enter into farther discussion. - -"People are divided," said the Khan, pleased with his own sally, -"whether this was a palace or a temple; if it was built and inhabited -by Jemsheed, it was probably both; for he says, in the Shāh-nāmeh, 'By -the Divine favour, I am both a sovereign and a priest;'[64] and if this -first and most wonderful man of Persia studied his ease and convenience -half as much as his countrymen now do, it is most probable, that, to -save himself trouble, he would join his palace and his temple together." - -"You Europeans," continued Khan Sāhib, turning to me, "believe that -Alexander, to please a beautiful lady, set fire to this palace in -a spirit of mischief; we Mahomedans have the consolation to think -this proud abode of unbelievers was destroyed when our first caliphs -conquered Persia, through a spirit of holiness. It was a rule," said -he, smiling, "of the first pious propagators of our religion, always to -give to infidels an earnest in this world of what they were to expect -in the next; so they and their profane works were included in one -common sentence of destruction." - -Though neither the Indian Moonshee, Mahomed Hoosein, nor the Persian -Meerzā, liked the levity with which my little friend treated such a -serious subject; they saw he was in too lively a vein to expect to -check him, but they looked grave. This, he observed, and to change the -subject, asked me what I thought was the meaning of a figure, to which -he pointed, half of whose body appeared rising out of a circle, and -to which wings were attached? I told him, he could not apply to one -who was more ignorant of such subjects than myself, but I would tell -him what the learned of Europe had conjectured regarding this mystical -figure. - -The detail was long, and embraced a variety of opinions; but I -concluded by observing, that the figure was believed to be that of a -Ferooher, or spirit, which, according to the doctrine of Zoroaster, is -an associate of an existing being, with whose soul or spiritual part it -is united before birth and after death. - -"These Feroohers," said I, "were sometimes invoked as guardian angels: -they were male and female, and were not, in their connection with this -earth, limited to human creatures; some of the race belonged to the -vegetable world. Trees had their Feroohers." I was becoming more than -learned, I was mystical, and on the point of showing some striking -analogies between these aerial spirits of the ancient Persians, and the -Sylphs, the Dryads, and the Hamadryads of the Greeks, when Khan Sāhib, -anxious to make amends with his Mahomedan friends, for the slight which -he saw they supposed he had put upon the first caliphs, interrupted me -by saying-- - -"Well, God knows! however we may question the humanity, if not the -policy, of extirpating whole races of men, because they did not believe -exactly as we do, assuredly the founders of our holy religion have -merit in putting an end to Feroohers, and all such trumpery as you have -been talking about. There is enough of wicked flesh and blood in this -world to give an honest man trouble and alarm, without his being scared -in a wood, or frightened in his sleep by ghosts, spirits, and demons. -The Glorious Volume,[65] thank heaven, has put an end to all these -gentry. But, after all, I really wish (looking round at the ruins) that -while it conferred this benefit upon us, and gave us more space in the -world, by the removal of some incorrigible infidels, it had spared some -of their best works, if it were only as specimens of their folly and -pride." - -As he was concluding this sentence, Hajee Hoosein came from the Elchee -with pipes and coffee for our refreshment. "You were speaking of good -works," said the Hajee. "I was speaking of works," said the Khan. -"It is all the same," replied the Hajee, determined not to lose an -opportunity of showing his reading: "works are everything in this -world, as Sādee says--'Alas, for him that's gone, and done no work! The -drum of departure has beat, and his burden is not made up.'"[66] - -The admiration given to the expression and sentiment of the moralist -of Persia did not prevent a laugh at the manner in which it was -applied. The Hajee, however, was not displeased with our mirth; he was -too full of Sādee's apophthegms and stanzas, and too eager to mix in -conversation, to be particular as to the time or place in which he gave -utterance to his recollections; and their want of application often -rendered them more entertaining. - -We returned to our tents with a resolution of completing our -knowledge of the wonders of this place, by a visit to the famous rocks -in the vicinity of Persepolis, which are called "The Sculptures of -Roostem."[67] - -Though there can be little doubt, from the similarity of these figures -to those on the Sassanian coins, that they have been made to perpetuate -the glory of the first sovereigns of that family; yet, when I on the -ensuing day mentioned this conjecture to my Persian friends, I found I -was regarded as an envious Frank, who wanted to detract from their hero -Roostem, with whose fame all that is valiant, powerful, or wonderful in -this country is associated: and whose name has been given to this, as -it has been to all other sculptures representing any warlike deeds, of -which the precise history is unknown. - -In order to make amends for the errors of my knowledge, I commenced a -panegyric on their favourite warrior. "We have," I said, "an account -from the Greeks of a celebrated hero of theirs called Hercules, whom -they have deified, and whom many of our learned confound with Roostem; -but this Hercules was, in my opinion, hardly fit to carry the slippers -of your hero." - -"The Greeks talk of the club of Hercules, but what was his club to the -bull-headed mace with which Roostem destroyed whole armies? Hercules, -when an infant, crushed a couple of serpents; but Roostem, when a -child, brained a furious elephant: Hercules shot his enemy, Ephialtes, -in one eye; but Roostem did twice as much, for with a forked arrow he -sealed in eternal darkness both eyes of the prince Esfendiār: Hercules -wore a lion's hide; Roostem had, according to Firdousee, a vest made -of the skins of several lions. Both heroes had supernatural aid, but -Roostem seldom required it; for he was endowed with the strength of one -hundred and twenty elephants;[68] and out of fifty thousand horses one -only, the celebrated Reksh, was found capable of bearing his weight. - -"Hercules," I continued, "we are told by the Greeks (who, however, -are great romancers), accomplished twelve labours; but what are these -compared to the Heft Kh'ān, or Seven Stages of Roostem? Besides, it is -doubted whether Hercules could ride--he certainly had no horse of any -fame; whereas Reksh excelled all horses as much as his rider did all -men." - -This moderate and just tribute to the hero of Persia quite restored me -to the good graces of my friends, who concurred with me in requesting -our old minstrel, who had charge of the horses of some of our party, -to recount to us the story of the Heft Kh'ān, or Seven Stages of -Roostem. He could not, he said, recite these great events as written -in the page of the immortal Firdousee; but if we would be satisfied, -he could give us the tale in prose, as he had heard it read from the -Shemsheer-Khānee.[69] Being assured that what he recollected of the -story would be quite enough, and his audience having seated themselves -beneath the sculptured rocks, he began as follows: - -"Persia was at peace, and prosperous; but its king, Ky-Kāoos, could -never remain at rest. A favourite singer gave him one day an animated -account of the beauties of the neighbouring kingdom of Mazenderan;[70] -its ever blooming roses, its melodious nightingales, its verdant -plains, its mountains shaded with lofty trees, and adorned to their -summits with flowers which perfumed the air, its clear murmuring -rivulets, and, above all, its lovely damsels and valiant warriors. - -"All these were described to the sovereign in such glowing colours, -that he quite lost his reason, and declared he should never be happy -till his power extended over a country so favoured by nature. It was -in vain that his wisest ministers and most attached nobles dissuaded -him from so hazardous an enterprise as that of invading a region, which -had, besides other defenders, a number of Deevs, or demons, who, acting -under their renowned chief Deev-e-Seffeed, or the White Demon, had -hitherto defeated all enemies." - -"Is the Deev-e-Seffeed," said I, stopping the narrator, and turning -to Aga Meer, "believed by modern Persians to have been a supernatural -being, as his name implies? or is this deemed a poetical fiction of -Firdousee to describe a formidable warrior, perhaps a more northern -prince, and therefore of a fairer complexion?" "Why," said the Meer, -"it is with us almost a crime to refuse belief to a single line -Firdousee has written; but though there is no doubt he has given the -account of these Deevs as he found it, in the public records from which -he composed his great historical poem; we find in some of our best -dictionaries, such as the Jehāngeeree, and Boorhān-e-Kātih, the word -Deev rendered 'a valiant warrior,' which shows that the learned authors -of these works entertained the same notion as you do." - -"If I had written a dictionary," said Mahomed Hoosein Khan, "I should -have solved the difficulty by explaining, that Deev was a man who -fought like a devil." - -This little sally finished our grave disquisition; and Joozee Beg, -who seemed not a little impatient at the interruption, resumed his -narration. - -"Ky-Kāoos," as I said before, "would not listen to his nobles, who in -despair sent for old Zāl, the father of Roostem, and prince of Seestan. -Zāl came and used all his efforts, but in vain; the monarch was -involved in clouds of pride, and closed a discussion he had with Zāl, -by exclaiming, 'The Creator of the world is my friend; the chief of the -Deevs is my prey.'[71] This impious boasting satisfied Zāl he could do -no good; and he even refused to become regent of Persia in the absence -of Ky-Kāoos, but promised to aid with his counsel. - -"The king departed to anticipated conquest; but the prince of -Mazenderan summoned his forces, and above all the Deev-e-Seffeed and -his band. They came at his call: a great battle[72] ensued, in which -the Persians were completely defeated. Ky-Kāoos was made prisoner and -confined in a strong fortress under the guard of a hundred Deevs, -commanded by Arjeng, who was instructed to ask the Persian monarch -every morning how he liked the roses, nightingales, flowers, trees, -verdant meadows, shady mountains, clear streams, beautiful damsels, and -valiant warriors of Mazenderan? - -"The news of this disaster soon spread over Persia, and -notwithstanding the disgust of old Zāl at the headstrong folly of his -monarch, he was deeply afflicted at the tale of his misfortune and -disgrace. He sent for Roostem, to whom he said, 'Go, my son, and with -thy single arm, and thy good horse, Reksh, release our sovereign.' -Roostem instantly obeyed. There were two roads, but he chose the -nearest, though it was reported to be by far the most difficult and -dangerous. Now," said Joozee Beg, "it would occupy the whole day if -I was to relate at length the adventures of the heft khān: a short -account of the obstacles which the hero overcame at each will suffice. - -"Fatigued with his first day's journey, Roostem lay down to sleep, -having turned Reksh loose to graze in a neighbouring meadow, where -he was attacked by a furious lion; but this wonderful horse, after a -short contest, struck his antagonist to the ground with a blow from -his fore-hoof, and completed the victory by seizing the throat of the -royal animal with his teeth. When Roostem awoke, he was surprised and -enraged. He desired Reksh never again to attempt, unaided, such an -encounter. 'Hadst thou been slain,' asked he of the intelligent brute, -'how should I have accomplished my enterprise?' - -"At the second stage Roostem had nearly died of thirst, but his prayers -to the Almighty were heard: a fawn appeared, as if to be his guide, -and following it, he was conducted to a clear fountain, where, after -regaling on the flesh of a wild ass,[73] which he had killed with his -bow, he lay down to sleep. In the middle of the night a monstrous -serpent, seventy yards in length, came out of its hiding-place, and -made at the hero, who was awaked by the neighing of Reksh; but the -serpent had crept back to his hiding-place, and Roostem seeing no -danger, abused his faithful horse for disturbing his repose. Another -attempt of the serpent was defeated in the same way; but as the monster -had again concealed himself, Roostem lost all patience with Reksh, -whom he threatened to put to death if he again awaked him by any such -unseasonable noises. The faithful steed, fearing his master's rage, but -strong in his attachment, instead of neighing when the serpent again -made his appearance, sprung upon it, and commenced a furious contest! -Roostem, hearing the noise, started up and joined in the combat. The -serpent darted at him, but he avoided it; and, while his noble horse -seized their enemy by the back, the hero cut off its head with his -sword. - -"When the serpent was slain, Roostem contemplated its enormous size -with amazement, and, with that piety which always distinguished him, -returned thanks to the Almighty for his miraculous escape. - -"Next day, as Roostem sat by a fountain, he saw a beautiful damsel -regaling herself with wine. He approached her, accepted her invitation -to partake of the beverage, and clasped her in his arms as if she had -been an angel. It happened, in the course of their conversation, that -the Persian hero mentioned the name of the great God he adored. At the -sound of that sacred word the fair features and shape of the female -changed, and she became black, ugly, and deformed. The astonished -Roostem seized her, and, after binding her hands, bid her declare who -she was. 'I am a sorceress,' was the reply, 'and have been employed by -the evil-spirit Aharman for thy destruction: but save my life, and I am -powerful to do thee service.' 'I make no compact with the devil or his -agents,' said the hero, and cut her in twain. He again poured forth his -soul in thanksgiving to God for his deliverance. - -"On his fourth stage Roostem lost his way. While wandering about he -came to a clear rivulet, on the banks of which he lay down to take -some repose, having first turned Reksh loose into a field of grain. A -gardener who had charge of it came and awoke the hero, telling him, -in an insolent tone, that he would soon suffer for his temerity, as -the field in which his horse was feeding belonged to a pehloovān, or -warrior, called Oulād. Roostem, always irascible, but particularly so -when disturbed in his slumbers, jumped up, tore off the gardener's -ears, and gave him a blow with his fist that broke his nose and teeth. -'Take these marks of my temper to your master,' he said, 'and tell him -to come here, and he shall have a similar welcome.' - -"Oulād, when informed of what had passed, was excited to fury, and -prepared to assail the Persian hero, who, expecting him, had put on -his armour, and mounted Reksh. His appearance so dismayed Oulād, that -he dared not venture on the combat till he had summoned his adherents. -They all fell upon Roostem at once; but the base-born caitiffs were -scattered like chaff before the wind: many were slain, others fled, -among whom was their chief. Him Roostem came up with at the fifth -stage, and having thrown his noose[74] over him, took him prisoner. -Oulād, in order to save his life, not only gave him full information -of the place where his sovereign was confined, and of the strength -of the Deev-e-Seffeed, but offered to give the hero every aid in the -accomplishment of his perilous enterprise. This offer was accepted, and -he proved a most useful auxiliary. - -"On the sixth day they saw in the distance the city of Mazenderan, -near which the Deev-e-Seffeed resided. Two chieftains, with numerous -attendants, met them; and one had the audacity to ride up to Roostem, -and seize him by the belt. That chief's fury at this insolence was -unbounded; he disdained, however, to use his arms against such an -enemy, but seizing the miscreant's head, wrenched it from the body, -and hurled it at his companions, who fled in terror and dismay at this -terrible proof of the hero's prowess. - -"Roostem proceeded, after this action, with his guide to the castle -where the king was confined. The Deevs who guarded it were asleep, -and Ky-Kāoos was found in a solitary cell, chained to the ground. He -recognised Roostem, and bursting into tears, pressed his deliverer -to his bosom. Roostem immediately began to knock off his chains: the -noise occasioned by this awoke the Deevs, whose leader, Beedār-Reng, -advanced to seize Roostem; but the appearance and threats of the latter -so overawed him, that he consented to purchase his own safety by the -instant release of the Persian king and all his followers. - -"After this achievement Roostem proceeded to the last and greatest of -his labours, the attack of the Deev-e-Seffeed. Oulād told him, that -the Deevs watched and feasted during the night, but slept during the -heat of the day, hating (according to our narrator) the sun-beams. -Roostem, as he advanced, saw an immense army drawn out: he thought it -better, before he attacked them, to refresh himself by some repose. -Having laid himself down, he soon fell into a sound sleep, and at -daylight he awoke quite refreshed. As soon as the sun became warm, -he rushed into the camp. The heavy blows of his mace soon awoke the -surprised and slumbering guards of the Deev-e-Seffeed: they collected -in myriads, hoping to impede his progress; but all in vain. The rout -became general, and none escaped but those who fled from the field of -battle. - -"When this army was dispersed Roostem went in search of the -Deev-e-Seffeed, who, ignorant of the fate of his followers, slumbered -in the recess of a cavern, the entrance to which looked so dark and -gloomy, that the Persian hero hesitated whether he should advance, -but the noise of his approach had roused his enemy, who came forth, -clothed in complete armour. His appearance was terrible; but Roostem, -recommending his soul to God, struck a desperate blow, which separated -the leg of the Deev from his body. This," said Joozee Beg, "would -on common occasions have terminated the contest, but far different -was the result on the present. Irritated to madness by the loss of a -limb, the monster seized his enemy in his arms, and endeavoured to -throw him down. The struggle was for some time doubtful; but Roostem, -collecting all his strength, by a wondrous effort dashed his foe to the -ground, and seizing him by one of the horns, unsheathed his dagger, and -stabbed him to the heart.[75] The Deev-e-Seffeed instantly expired; and -Roostem, on looking round to the entrance of the cavern, from whence -the moment before he had seen numberless Deevs issuing to the aid of -their lord, perceived they were all dead. Oulād, who stood at a prudent -distance from the scene of combat, now advanced and informed the hero, -that the lives of all the Deevs depended upon that of their chief: -when he was slain, the spell which created and preserved this band was -broken, and they all expired. - -"Roostem," said our narrator, "found little difficulty, after these -seven days of toil, of danger, and of glory, in compelling Mazenderan -to submit to Persia. The king of the country was slain, and Oulād was -appointed its governor as a reward for his fidelity. - -"It would weary you," said Joozee Beg, "were I to detail all the -misfortunes and distresses into which Ky-Kāoos subsequently brought -himself, by a pride and folly which were only equalled by the wisdom -and valour of Zāl and his son Roostem; but one instance will suffice." - -Hajee Hoosein, who was in attendance, whispered to me, "It is true, as -Sādee says, 'A wise man does not always know when to begin, but a fool -never knows when to stop.'" I smiled, but shook my head, and Joozee -proceeded. - -"The event I am about to narrate," said he, "appears so wonderful, that -I should doubt its truth, if I did not know it was written in the book -I before told you of. - -"The success of his arms had raised Ky-Kāoos to the very plenitude -of power; not only men but Deevs obeyed his mandates. The latter he -employed in building palaces of crystal, emeralds, and rubies, till at -last they became quite tired of their toil and abject condition. They -sought, therefore, to destroy him; and to effect this they consulted -with the devil, who, to forward the object, instructed a Deev, called -Dizjkheem, to go to Ky-Kāoos, and raise in his mind a passion for -astronomy, and to promise him a nearer view of the celestial bodies -than had ever yet been enjoyed by mortal eyes. The Deev fulfilled his -commission with such success, that the king became quite wild with a -desire to attain perfection in this sublime science. The devil then -instructed Dizjkheem to train some young vultures to carry a throne -upwards: this was done by placing spears round the throne, on the -points of which pieces of flesh were fixed in view of the vultures who -were fastened at the bottom. These voracious birds, in their efforts to -reach the meat, raised the throne--" - -Joozee Beg here stopt, seeing me hardly able to suppress a laugh. -"You do not credit this story," he said. "You mistake," I replied; "I -am only struck with a remarkable coincidence. In a sister kingdom of -England, called Ireland, the natives, according to a learned author, -trick their horses into a trot, by binding a wisp of hay to the -end of a pole to which they are harnessed, and, like your vultures, -they constantly strive but never attain their desire: their efforts -to reach the food fulfil the object of the ingenious author of this -useful invention. He was only a mortal, however, and could do no more -than impel a vehicle along the earth; the scheme of the devil is more -sublime, and we shall, I trust, hear of Ky-Kāoos reaching the seventh -heaven!" "He was not so fortunate," said Joozee Beg; "for though he -mounted rapidly for some time, the vultures became exhausted, and -finding their efforts to reach the meat hopeless, discontinued them; -this altered the direction and equilibrium of the machine, and it -tossed to and fro. Ky-Kāoos would have been cast headlong and killed -had he not clung to it. The vultures not being able to disengage -themselves, flew an immense way, and at last landed the affrighted -monarch in one of the woods of China. Armies marched in every direction -to discover and release the sovereign, who, it was believed, had again -fallen into the hands of Deevs. He was at last found, and restored to -his capital. Roostem, we are told, upbraided his folly, saying - - 'Have you managed your affairs so well on earth - That you must needs try your hand in those of heaven?'"[76] - -Here the tale of wonder ceased, and a learned dissertation commenced -upon the genius and writings of Firdousee. It is only justice to this -great poet to observe, that the exuberance of his fertile imagination, -though it led him to amplify and adorn his subject, never made him -false to the task he had undertaken--that of embodying in his great -work all that remained of the fabulous and historical traditions -and writings of his country. We cannot have a stronger proof of his -adherence to this principle than his passing over, almost in silence, -the four centuries which elapsed between the death of Alexander the -Great and the rise of Ardesheer or Artaxerxes, the founder of the -Sassanian dynasty. Adverting to the history of the Parthian kings, he -observes, "When both their root and branches ceased to flourish, their -deeds remained unrecorded by any experienced historian; and nothing but -their names have I either heard or perused in the annals of the kings -of Persia." - -I mentioned to my friends, as we were leaving the ruins, the -reflections which occurred to me on these points, anticipating their -approbation of the justice I did Firdousee, but I was disappointed. -Mahomed Hoosein, the Indian Moonshee, alone seemed to concur. "It is -very just," was pronounced by him in an under tone. Meerzā Aga Meer -said faintly, "Perhaps you are right." Khan Sāhib had a half-suppressed -smile at the scrape he saw I was in, from my qualified praise of the -popular historian, as well as poet, of Persia; while almost all the -natives of that country, and there were many of the party, evidently -considered my criticism as bordering on want of faith in an author whom -they had almost worshipped from infancy. I overheard Hajee Hoosein, -to whom all the lesser persons in the mission listen as to an oracle, -whisper to one of his friends, "Sādee says, 'A wise man does not bring -a candle to light the sun.'" - -I left Persepolis with regret that my visit was so short; but the -same ardent desire to examine this celebrated ruin was not felt by -all our party. One of my companions, now no more, a gallant soldier -and most devoted sportsman, was induced, by the game he found on the -neighbouring plain, to delay his inspection of the palace of Jemsheed -to the last day of our stay. On the morning we went to bid farewell to -these remains of ancient grandeur, he promised to follow, but never -came. When we interrogated him as to the cause, he answered, with that -simplicity which belonged to his manly character, "I could not help it: -I was on the way, but found a fine duck in the stream that runs from -the mountain; it flew in a contrary direction, and I had to follow it -several miles before I got a shot. There it is," said he, pointing to -the bird which lay beside his gun, in a corner of the tent. - -FOOTNOTES: - -[49] The word Meerzā, when prefixed to a name, implies a secretary or -civilian; when it follows, it designates a prince. - -[50] It has long been the custom in Persia for persons to recite -animating verses, from the Shāh-Nāmeh, at the commencement of, and -during a battle. The late king, Aga Mahomed, was particularly fond of -this usage, and bestowed marks of his favour on such minstrels. - -[51] Iran is the ancient name of Persia, as Turan is of Tartary. - -[52] The celebrated Ky-Khoosroo of the Persians is the Cyrus of the -Greeks. - -[53] Roostem Keeneh-Kh'āh. The hero has this epithet as he was desirous -of avenging the death of Siyāvesh, murdered by Afrāsiāb. - -[54] Tartary. - -[55] "Their swords are a thousand, their bosoms are one."--Lochiel's -Warning. - -[56] Kāoos was at this time King of Iran or Persia. - -[57] The term in the original is "Azādigān," which means men free or -independent, that are not subject to the authority of others: heroes -who went more with the cause than the leader. - -[58] This famous standard was a blacksmith's apron set in jewels, and -was long the imperial standard of Persia. Gāveh was a blacksmith; he -overthrew the cruel tyrant Zohāk, and placed Feridoon on the throne of -Persia. When collecting followers, he carried his apron as the standard -of revolt against Zohāk. This apron remained the standard of the empire -till taken by Saad-ben-wakās, who commanded the Mahomedan army that -conquered Persia. - -[59] The brother of Peerān-Weeseh, the favourite vizier and counsellor -of Afrāsiāb. - -[60] The word means pale or yellow, and has an allusion to fear, of -which that colour is the emblem in Persia. - -[61] The word "meel" in Persian, is nearly our mile. - -[62] This last stanza is a reflection of the poet, referring to the -injustice of the cause of the Tartars. - -[63] Forty, both in India and Persia, is used to express an indefinite -number or quantity. - -[64] Men-em gooft bā-ferra-e-Eezidee Be-hem sheheryāree be-hem Moobidee. - -[65] Mes'hef-e-Mejeed, a pious allusion to the Koran. - -[66] - "Heif', ber ān kih reft oo kār ne-sākht - Koos-e-rihlet zed oo bār ne-sākht!" - -[67] Neksha-e-Roostem. - -[68] This, in the present _vapouring_ age, would be called a hundred -and twenty elephant-power; but I dare not take a liberty with my text -when recording facts. - -[69] The Shemsheer-Khānee is a prose abridgment of the Shāh-Nāmeh, into -which are introduced some of the finest passages of Firdousee's poetry. - -[70] The ancient Hyrcania. - -[71] - "Jehān-āfireenendeh yār-e-men est - Ser-e-nereh deevān shikār-e-men est." - -[72] It was in this battle that the armies were, according to -Firdousee, enveloped in sudden darkness, as had been foretold by a -magician. The mention of this fact proves it to be the same action -during which, Herodotus tells us, a total eclipse of the sun took -place, as had been foretold by Thales the Milesian.--Vide Hist of -Persia, vol. i. p. 3. - -[73] Goor. - -[74] The kemend or noose of the ancient Persians appears to be the -lasso of the modern South Americans, and was employed to snare -prisoners as well as wild cattle. It is well known and often used in -India by some tribes of robbers and murderers of that country, who cast -it over the head of the unwary traveller with an expertness that would -do credit to a native of the Pampas. - -[75] A representation of this combat is given in Dibdin's Decameron, -vol. iii, p. 475. - -[76] - "Too kār-e-zemeen-rā nikoo sakktee - Kih ber kār-e-āsmān-neez perdākhtee." - - - - -CHAPTER XIII. - - Travellers and Antiquaries--Wild - Ass--Hawking--Māder-e-Sūlimān--Akleed--Mirrors--Mehdee - Khan--Isfahan--Persian Citizens and Peasantry--Shāh Abbas the - Great--Hāroon-oor-Rasheed--Nethenz. - - -The love of travel, visiting the remains of former grandeur, and of -tracing the history of ancient nations, which is so common in Europe, -causes wonder in the Asiatics, amongst whom there is little or no -spirit of curiosity or speculation. Men who live in ill-governed and -unquiet communities can spare no time for such objects from the active -occupations incident to their place in society. In better regulated -and more settled governments, the state, by divesting men of all -immediate care respecting life and property, almost compels those of -its subjects whose minds are active, and whose time is at their own -disposal, to provide for themselves such a portion of vicissitude and -trouble as shall overcome that apathy and inertness into which they -might otherwise fall. From these motives they court toil and care, and -sometimes danger, to make them relish the feast of existence. - -Some gentlemen had accompanied the mission whose chief object was to -see Persepolis and other remains of ancient splendour. These motives -were unintelligible to the Persians. The day we left the ruins, Aga -Meer, as we were riding together, expressed his surprise at men -devoting their time to such pursuits. "What can be the use," said he, -"of travelling so far and running so many risks to look at ruined -houses and palaces, when they might stay so comfortably at home?" I -replied, with some feeling of contempt for my friend's love of quiet, -"If the state of a man's circumstances, or that of his country, does -not find him work, he must find it for himself, or go to sleep and be -good for nothing. Antiquaries," I continued, "to whose praiseworthy -researches you allude, by directing, through their labours and -talents, our attention to the great names and magnificent monuments -of former days, aid in improving the sentiments and taste of a nation. -Besides, though no antiquary myself, I must ever admire a study which -carries man beyond self. I love those elevating thoughts that lead -me to dwell with delight on the past, and to look forward with happy -anticipations to the future. We are told by some that such feelings -are mere allusions, and the cold practical philosopher may, on the -ground of their inutility, desire to remove them from men's minds, to -make way for his own machinery; but he could as soon argue me out of -my existence as take from me the internal proof which such feelings -convey, both as to my origin and destination." - -"There goes a Goor-kher" (wild ass), said Mahomed Beg, the -Jelloodār,[77] who was riding close behind; and away he galloped. Away -I galloped also, leaving unfinished one of the finest speeches about -the past and the future that was ever commenced. - -We pursued the goor-kher several miles, when we gave up the chase as -hopeless. On our return, however, we found plenty of other game; five -hares were killed by our dogs and three by hawks. When at Shiraz, the -Elchee had received a present of a very fine Shāh-Bāz, or royal falcon. -Before going out I had been amused at seeing Nutee Beg, our head -falconer, a man of great experience in his department, put upon this -bird a pair of leathers, which he fitted to its thighs with as much -care as if he had been the tailor of a fashionable horseman. I inquired -the reason of so unusual a proceeding. "You will learn that," said the -consequential master of the hawks, "when you see our sport:" and I was -convinced, at the period he predicted, of the old fellow's knowledge of -his business. - -The first hare seized by the falcon was very strong, and the ground -rough. While the bird kept the claws of one foot fastened in the back -of its prey, the other was dragged along the ground till it had an -opportunity to lay hold of a tuft of grass, by which it was enabled -to stop the course of the hare, whose efforts to escape, I do think, -would have torn the hawk asunder, if it had not been provided with the -leathern defences which have been mentioned. - -The next time the falcon was flown gave us a proof of that -extraordinary courage which its whole appearance, and particularly its -eye, denoted. It had stopt and quite disabled the second hare by the -first pounce, when two greyhounds, which had been slipped by mistake, -came up, and endeavoured to seize it. They were, however, repulsed -by the falcon, whose boldness and celerity in attacking the dogs and -securing its prey excited our admiration and astonishment. - -We had some excellent sport with smaller hawks and partridges. I was -particularly pleased with one bird which kept hovering over our heads -till the game was sprung, and then descending like a shot, struck its -prey to the ground. - -We made three marches from Persepolis before we came to any remarkable -place; we then reached some ruins called Māder-e-Sūlimān, or the mother -of Solomon. These have been almost as much dwelt upon by travellers as -those of Persepolis, and conjectures are equally various. Many insist -that this is the tomb of Bathsheba, the wife of Uriah, the wife of -David, and mother of Solomon. To this the only objection is, the belief -or fact that neither Solomon nor his mother were ever within a thousand -miles of this spot while living, and therefore it was unlikely to be -chosen as the burial-place of the latter when dead. Another account -states it to be the tomb of Sūlimān, the tenth caliph of the race of -Ali; but against this conclusion there is decisive evidence in the -very ancient style of the architecture and the inscriptions, which -are in the arrow-headed character. Some antiquaries, puzzled by these -objections, have gone back to remote ages, and determined it to be -Pasargadę the resting-place of Cyrus. I could only stay a few hours -at this tomb, otherwise this very important question might have been -decided. - -The next place on our route meriting notice is the village of Akleed, -where the first mission halted for some days. It is situated in a -beautiful valley, surrounded by hills and watered by clear rivulets. -The gardens and groves in this town and its vicinity give it an -inviting appearance to a traveller in Persia, which, with the exception -of Mazenderan,[78] and other provinces on the Caspian, may generally -be described as an arid country, without one great river, and with few -perennial streams.[79] - -If the report of the inhabitants of Akleed is to be believed, disease -is almost unknown. A man upwards of eighty, who was praising the place -to me, said, "We die of old age, but seldom from other causes. Then -look round and see what a charming place it is. I have heard a Moollāh -assert," he added, "that our town is called Akleed or Kaleed (the key), -and, on account of its beauty and salubrity, is considered as a key to -paradise." - -"But you suffer from oppression like others?" "Why," said he, "we are -not exempt from troubles, but these come only now and then, whilst we -always enjoy our pleasant habitations. We were in terrible alarm," he -continued, "when we first heard of your approach; we were told that the -Elchee was carrying a number of pier-glasses of immense[80] dimensions, -as a present to the king; and that the inhabitants of the country, -between Abusheher and Shiraz, were not only seized and compelled to -carry these mirrors, but that all the principal men in the villages -through which they had passed were to be sent to Teheran and punished, -because some of them had been broken. - -"This you may suppose occasioned no small fright, particularly as we -knew the Elchee's Mehmandar would take advantage of the pretext of -carrying these presents to commit every species of extortion. You -may therefore consider our joy to hear that the Elchee, to save the -inhabitants from such sufferings, had resolved to have the mirrors -carried by mules. We were, however, not quite relieved from our fears -till the whole passed through this place some days ago. Every mirror in -its case was like a Tekht-e-Revān (or travelling litter), with shafts -before and behind for the mules, by which it was carried. Then, besides -twenty or thirty Ferrāshes to take care of these precious glasses, -there was a party of horse to protect them; and the Elchee's head -carpenter, Randall Beg,[81] dressed like one of us, and with a fine -beard, rode at the head of the cavalcade." - -The story of the old chronicler of Akleed was perfectly correct; and -what was more uncommon in a Persian narration, no way exaggerated. -The Elchee, though he incurred considerable expense in providing for -the carriage of these unwieldy but valuable articles, acquired more -popularity, by the relief he gave to the poorer inhabitants on his -route by this act, and by insisting on paying for the Soorāt, or -provisions furnished to the mission, than by any others during his -residence in Persia. - -We passed several large camps of Eelyāts in our march between -Persepolis and Isfahan. I had formerly seen enough of this race to -satisfy me, that even the lowest of them were not only in a condition -which freed them from want, but that they enjoyed a consideration in -the community, or rather family, to which they belonged, that could not -but contribute to their happiness. Their union and their bold character -gives to this class of the population of Persia great security; and -even when the tribe happens from political motives to be divided, which -is often the case, the spirit of individuals remains unbroken; and if -they are of a race which has reputation for courage and attachment, -it is not unfrequent to see them in the service of those by whom -they have been subdued; nor do they in such case conceal the hostile -feelings they still cherish against their conquerors, who are usually -indifferent to the sentiments they entertain or express, while in their -service, trusting for their fidelity to certain ties and principles, -which, as connected with personal honour, are seldom violated by men of -this description. - -These reflections forcibly recurred to my mind, from a conversation -I had, the day we left Akleed, with an old soldier of the tribe of -Māaffee, who was in the service of our Mehmandar. - -"I have seen," said he to me, "nearly the whole of the contest between -the families of Zend and Kajir. I belong to a tribe firmly attached to -the former. I fought for them. Our princes were heroes in action, but -they wanted judgment; besides fortune deserted them, and favoured these -cruel Kajirs." I looked round; and observing my surprise, he instantly -exclaimed, "What do I care who knows my sentiments? Was ever man more -cruel than Aga Mahomed Khan? did not his wanton atrocities exceed all -belief? I will tell you one," he added, "that I myself witnessed. - -"After the last and bravest of our princes, Lootf Ali Khan, was -betrayed and barbarously put to death, his Meerzā, a respectable Syed -of the family of the Prophet, was brought before Aga Mahomed. 'Why did -you dare,' said the enraged monarch, 'to write me fermāns?'[82] 'I did -so,' said the Meerzā, 'because the fear of Lootf Ali Khan, who was near -me, was at the moment greater than of you, who were distant; but I -trust to your clemency for pardon.' 'Cut off his hands and put out his -eyes!' was the savage mandate, which was immediately obeyed. - -"Next morning this Meerzā's son was brought a prisoner to camp. He was -sent for by the king, who addressing him, said, 'Go to your father; -tell him the Prophet has reproached me for my injustice to him; I will -do what I can to make amends: what does he want?' 'To go and pass the -remainder of his life at the tomb of the holy Ali at Kerbela,' said -the youth. 'Let him depart,' replied the king, 'as soon as his wounds -will permit: give him from me these three hundred tomans, and say that -horses, mules, and tents will be provided for his accommodation. Inform -him, I have repented of my inconsiderate violence, and ask him to pray -for me.' - -"Now," said my friend, the Māaffee, "many think Aga Mahomed was sincere -in his remorse; but I believe he was only cunning. He saw that every -one was shocked at his horrible treatment of a holy Syed, and he was -anxious to regain their good opinion. Nobody knew so well as that wily -fox how to manage men. But after all," he concluded, "bad as he was in -other respects, he was the soldier's friend, and so far better than his -nephew and successor." - -"Assuredly," said I, "you cannot accuse the present king of cruelty; -he appears to me remarkable for his lenity." "What is the use of his -lenity, if he neither gives his soldiers money himself, nor allows them -to take it from others? These Kajirs," he continued, in no under tone, -and with fifty people within hearing, "are a sad set, and we shall -never have good times again while they keep the throne." - -Next day I spoke privately to this old soldier, and told him I was -afraid he might do himself injury by the manner in which he had so -openly expressed himself. "Do not be alarmed," he said; "there is now -no prince of the Zend family in Persia to compete for the crown. The -Kajirs and their adherents, therefore, take little heed of language -that can do no harm; besides, the king is, as you say, a merciful man, -and he has the good sense to know he cannot alter the feelings of -tribes like ours. He knows, also, that however we may talk, we shall -prove true to those we serve, provided we are treated with confidence -and consideration." - -The first mission had halted at the village of Taaghoon, within a -short distance of Isfahan, where we met a chief called Meerzā Mehdee -Khan, who had served under Lord Clive in Bengal. He spoke in raptures -of that great man; from whom, as well as from General Carnac and -others, he produced testimonials highly honourable to his character. -He had retired, with the fortune he made in India, to this, his native -village. I was particularly pleased with this old gentleman, and on our -second mission, I inquired for him, but regretted to find he had been -dead two years. His son had succeeded to his property and situation as -head of Taaghoon, and appeared, from his conduct, to have inherited his -father's sentiments of regard for the English. - -Nothing can exceed in beauty and fertility, the country in the vicinity -of Isfahan, and the first appearance of that city is very imposing. -All that is noble meets the eye: the groves, avenues, and spreading -orchards, with which it abounds, concealing the ruins of this once -famed capital. A nearer view, however, dispels the illusion; but still -much remains of wealth, if not of splendour, and were I so disposed, I -might write a volume on its beautiful environs; its palaces, splendid -even in decay, its college, with massy gates of silver, its magnificent -bridges, its baths, its arched bazars, its fountains, its far-famed -river Zindehrood, and the gardens on its banks, shaded with lofty -sycamores, and filled with every flower and fruit of the temperate zone. - -When the patience of the reader was exhausted by a minute description -of all the beauties and bounties which art and nature have lavished -on Isfahan, there would still remain to be described its two hundred -thousand inhabitants, more than half of whom poured forth in their -gayest attire to the istikbāl, or meeting with the Elchee, the day we -entered this renowned city. - -A few days after our arrival the governor gave the Elchee an -entertainment, which began, as usual, with sweetmeats and fruit; and -after pipes, coffee, tumbling, wrestling, and fireworks, a sumptuous -dinner was served up. Another day we were invited to breakfast with -my old friend Hajee Ibrahim Kāledoonee, who gave us milk prepared in -seventy-two different ways, being, as Hajee Hoosein whispered me, in -accordance with the seventy-two sects in the religion of Mahomed. -Whether there was such a design or not I cannot say, but the fare was -admirable, and I was delighted to find my friend, who is, besides being -an extensive farmer, a ketkhūdā, or magistrate, of the ward of Kāledoon -in Isfahan, the same plain-dressed, plain-spoken, humorous person we -had left him ten years before. He took us, as he had formerly done, -to the wonder of his quarter, the shaking minarets.[83] When a person -mounts to the top of one of these, and moves his body, it vibrates, and -the vibration is imparted to the other, though at a distance of about -forty feet, the width of the mosque to which they belong. - -While my companions were trying this experiment, and wondering at the -cause, I remained on the terrace conversing with Hajee Ibrahim. I -noticed a small village about a mile distant which seemed deserted. -"Is that oppression?" said I. "No," said the Hajee, "worse." "Why," -said I, "the Tūrkūmāns cannot have carried their inroads so near the -town." "They could not have done the work so complete," said my friend, -smiling. "Who has done it?" I asked. "A doctor," replied he; "a proper -fellow, who acquired great reputation, and he deserved it, from the -heirs of his patients at least. That village literally perished under -his hands in five years. Now he is gone I know not where, but good luck -attend him, so he comes not again to our neighbourhood." - -I went with some of our party to several of the principal hemmāms or -baths of Isfahan. That of Khoosroo Aga I think one of the best I have -seen. When the first mission came to Persia, doubts were entertained -whether we could be permitted this luxury. Fortunately for us the -point was deemed one, not merely connected with comfort, but with that -respect which it was desirous we should receive from the natives of -the country; and viewing it in this light, the Elchee, by a well-timed -liberality, converted impure infidels into favoured guests, who, -instead of being excluded, were, at every town, solicited to honour -with their presence the public baths. - -The inhabitants of Isfahan are reputed quick and intelligent. They, -like those of other large cities in Persia, differ much, both in -appearance and character, from the peasantry who dwell in the villages. -The latter, though I saw none in actual poverty, seemed from their -appearance rarely to have any superabundance of even the necessaries of -life. Though neither so well lodged, clothed, nor fed as the citizens -of large towns, and perhaps occasionally subjected to more oppression, -I always found, when I talked to them, that they preferred their actual -condition; and though often loud and bold in their complaints of their -superiors, they appear a cheerful and robust race.[84] - -The food of the Eelyāts is derived principally from their flocks, and -they eat, with their cheese and curds, hard black bread made from -barley and rye. The villagers in the cultivated plains have less animal -food, but more of wheaten bread, fowls, eggs, vegetables, and fruits. -Both these classes are equally uninstructed; the wandering tribes -despise learning, and the inhabitants of hamlets and villages have -seldom an opportunity of acquiring it. - -In the larger towns, and particularly those in which there are -manufactories, the case is very different; the inhabitants are -generally well clothed, and their whole appearance indicates that they -live in comfort. There are in all such towns numerous schools, and in -the principal ones colleges. At Isfahan almost every man above the -very lowest order can read and write, and artisans and shopkeepers are -often as familiar as those of the higher ranks with the works of their -favourite poets. The love of such learning seems, in some of the youth -of this city, to degenerate into a disease. These Tālib-ool-Ilm, or -seekers of science, as the students are called, may be seen in crowds -round the gates, or within the walls of its college, reciting stanzas, -or discussing obscure dogmas or doctrines in their works on philosophy -or religion, and they often become, from such habits, unfitted for -every other pursuit in life. - -The population of Isfahan, notwithstanding such exceptions, may be -described as an active industrious people. They are considered the best -manufacturers and the worst soldiers in Persia. But whatever may be -their department in the field of battle, they are remarkable for the -boldness of their language in the field of argument, and have great -confidence in their ready wit and talent for repartee. - -Some years ago, this city was governed by a brother of the celebrated -Hajee Ibrahim, whose family at that time held several of the first -offices in the kingdom; and I heard that minister tell the Elchee the -following anecdote: - -A shopkeeper, he said, went to his brother to represent that he could -not pay an impost. "You must pay it, like others," said the governor, -or leave the city." "Where can I go?" asked the man. "To Shiraz or -Cashan." "Your nephew rules the one city, and your brother the other." -"Go to the king and complain, if you like." "Your brother the Hajee -is prime minister." "Then go to hell," said the enraged governor. -"Hajee Merhoom, the pious pilgrim, your father, is dead--" retorted the -undaunted Isfahānee. "My friend," said the governor, bursting into a -laugh, "I will pay the impost myself, since you declare my family keeps -you from all redress, both in this world and the next." - -The merchants of Persia form a distinct class. I had now seen those -of Abusheher, Shiraz, and Isfahan, and found their general character -nearly the same. - -So long as they have no concern with state affairs, and accept of -no employment from government, they enjoy considerable security. -The plunder of a merchant, without some pretext, would shake all -confidence, and be fatal to that commerce from which a great proportion -of the public revenue is derived; the most tyrannical monarchs -therefore have seldom committed so impolitic an act of injustice. But -this class have suffered so severely in the late revolutions of the -country that they continue to act with great caution. They are not only -very circumspect in their dealings, but, like wary diplomatists, every -merchant has a cipher, known only to himself and his correspondents. By -this means they receive and convey that intelligence which is essential -to give safety to their speculations. Some few make a display of -their wealth; but in general their habits are not merely frugal, but -penurious. This disposition often increases with age to a degree that -would hardly be credited if we had not similar instances in our own -country. - -The popular impression is so strong on this subject, that they relate -the following story as a fact, to exemplify it: - -A merchant who had lately died at Isfahan, and left a large sum of -money, was so great a niggard, that for many years he denied himself -and his son, a young boy, every support, except a crust of coarse -bread. He was, however, one day tempted by the description a friend -gave of the flavour of cheese to buy a small piece; but before he got -home he began to reproach himself with extravagance, and instead of -eating the cheese he put it into a bottle, and contented himself, and -obliged his child to do the same, with rubbing the crust against the -bottle, enjoying the cheese in imagination. - -One day that he returned home later than usual, he found his son eating -his crust, and rubbing it against the door. "What are you about, you -fool?" was his exclamation. "It is dinnertime, father; you have the -key, so I could not open the door;--I was rubbing my bread against it, -because I could not get to the bottle." "Cannot you go without cheese -one day, you luxurious little rascal? you'll never be rich!" added -the angry miser, as he kicked the poor boy for not being able to deny -himself the ideal gratification. - -Our stay at Isfahan was short. I regretted this the less, as I had, on -the former mission, full time to trace those remains of the splendour -of the Seffavean kings, which are still to be found at this their -favourite capital. The names of almost all these monarchs are now -forgotten, excepting that of Shāh Abbas the Great, who, in Persia, is -not only the builder of all bridges, cārāvānserāis, and palaces, but -his name is associated with all good sayings, liberal acts, and deeds -of arms. I was really quite tired with hearing of this most gallant, -most sage, most witty, and most munificent monarch, at his seat of -glory; and when sixty miles to the northward of that city, we were -entering the delightful little town of Nethenz, which lies in a narrow -valley between two high mountains, I said to myself, "Well, we are now, -thank God, clear of Abbas and his grand palaces; this scene of repose -abounds in beauties for which he had no taste." - -Hajee Hoosein, who was riding near me, said, as if he had read my -thoughts, "This is a charming place, and the inhabitants are remarkable -for their wit, as well as for their pears, peaches, and pretty ladies. -When Abbas the Great"--I pulled up my horse, and looked at him with a -countenance that indicated any thing but anxiety for his story; but -not observing, or not choosing to observe, he continued:--"When Abbas -the Great was hunting in this valley, he met, one morning as the day -dawned, an uncommonly ugly man, at the sight of whom his horse started. -Being nearly dismounted, and deeming it a bad omen, he called out in -a rage to have his head struck off. The poor peasant whom they had -seized, and were on the point of executing, prayed that he might be -informed of his crime:--'Your crime,' said the king, 'is your unlucky -countenance, which is the first object I saw this morning, and which -had nearly caused me to fall from my horse.' 'Alas!' said the man, 'by -this reckoning, what term must I apply to your majesty's countenance, -which was the first object my eyes met this morning, and which is to -cause my death?' The king smiled at the wit of the reply, ordered the -man to be released, and gave him a present instead of taking off his -head." - -"Well," said I, when the Hajee had finished, "I am glad I have heard -this story, for it proves your Abbas was, with all his fine qualities, -a capricious and cruel tyrant." "No doubt he was," said my friend, -"like other men in his condition, spoilt by the exercise of despotic -power. He had violent bursts of passion, but these were not frequent; -and then he used to be very sorry for what he did when in one of his -paroxysms; and what more could be expected from a Shāhin-shāh, or -king of kings? There," said he, as we entered Nethenz,--"There is -an instance of the truth of what I say; you see that little dome -on the summit of the hill which overhangs the town. It is called -Goom-bez-e-Bāz, or the dome of the hawk. It happened one day that this -monarch, fatigued with hunting, had sat down on the top of that hill -with a favourite hawk on his hand; he called for some water, and a cup -was brought from a neighbouring spring; the hawk dashed the cup from -the king's hand as he was about to drink; another was sent for, but -the bird managed to spill it likewise; a third and a fourth shared the -same fate. The monarch, in a rage, killed the hawk. Before he had time -to take another cup, one of his attendants noticed that the water was -discoloured. This gave rise to suspicions; and the spring was found to -have been poisoned with the venom of a snake or some plant. Shāh Abbas, -inconsolable at his rashness in destroying the bird which had saved his -life, built this dome to its memory, and is said to have often visited -it." - -After hearing this story, I was obliged, lest I should have more -anecdotes of this mighty monarch, to confess that, though not a -character exactly suited to my notions, there must be some merit in a -human being who, in spite of his ordering a man to be slain because -he had an ugly face that frightened a horse, and killing a hawk for -spilling a cup of water, had contrived to raise his country to such -a pitch of prosperity, that he was beloved, as well as feared, when -alive, and spoken of for centuries after his decease as the author of -all improvements. - -The caliph Hāroon-oor-Rasheed occupies the same place in the stories -of the Arabians which Shāh Abbas does among the Persians; but the -"Arabian Nights" have made the English reader familiar with the -celebrated Commander of the Faithful, which no similar work has done -for the sovereign of Persia. The fame of the latter, even in his native -country, has not excluded Hāroon, whom I have always found in works -on the wisdom, moderation, and justice of monarchs, to occupy a very -prominent place in Persian literature. - -Aga Meer brought me one day a small tract, containing an account of a -visit of Hāroon to the tomb of Noosheerwān, which was, he said, from -the lessons it conveyed, given to the youth of Persia to study. I -perused it with pleasure; and shall give a translation of a part of its -contents, as a specimen both of the moral maxims of this country and -the mode in which a knowledge of them is imparted. - -"The caliph Hāroon-oor-Rasheed," says the author, "went to visit the -tomb of the celebrated Noosheerwān, the most famous of all the monarchs -who ever governed Persia. Before the tomb was a curtain of gold cloth, -which, when Hāroon touched it, fell to pieces. The walls of the tomb -were covered with gold and jewels, whose splendour illumined its -darkness. The body was placed in a sitting posture on a throne enchased -with jewels, and had so much the appearance of life, that, on the first -impulse, the Commander of the Faithful bent to the ground, and saluted -the remains of the just Noosheerwān. - -"Though the face of the departed monarch was like that of a living man, -and the whole of the body in a state of preservation, which showed the -admirable skill of those who embalmed it; yet when the caliph touched -the garments they mouldered into dust. Hāroon upon this took his own -rich robes and threw them over the corpse: he also hung up a new -curtain richer than that he had destroyed, and perfumed the whole tomb -with camphor, and other sweet scents. - -"It was remarked that no change was perceptible in the body of -Noosheerwān, except that the ears had become white. The whole scene -affected the caliph greatly; he burst into tears, and repeated from -the Koran--'What I have seen is a warning to those who have eyes.' -He observed some writing upon the throne, which he ordered the -Moobids,[85] who were learned in the Pehlevee language, to read and -explain. They did so: it was as follows: - - 'This world remains not; the man who thinks least of it is the - wisest. - - 'Enjoy this world before thou becomest its prey. - - 'Bestow the same favour on those below thee, as thou desirest to - receive from those above thee. - - 'If thou shouldst conquer the whole world, death will at last - conquer thee. - - 'Be careful that thou are not the dupe of thine own fortune. - - 'Thou shalt be paid exactly for what thou hast done; no more, no - less.' - -"The caliph observed a dark ruby-ring on the finger of Noosheerwān, on -which was written, - - 'Avoid cruelty, study good, and never be precipitate in action. - - 'If thou shouldst live for a hundred years, never for one moment - forget death. - - 'Value above all things the society of the wise.' - -"Around the right arm of Noosheerwān was a clasp of gold, on which was -engraved, - - 'On a certain year, on the 10th day of the month Erdebehisht,[86] - a caliph of the race of Adean, professing the faith of Mahomed, - accompanied by four good men, and one bad, shall visit my tomb.' - -"Below this sentence were the names of the forefathers of the -caliph. Another prophecy was added concerning Hāroon's pilgrimage to -Noosheerwān's tomb. - - 'This prince will honour me, and do good unto me, though I have no - claim upon him; and he will clothe me in a new vest, and besprinkle - my tomb with sweet-scented essences, and then depart unto his - home. But the bad man who accompanies him shall act treacherously - towards me. I pray that God may send one of my race to repay the - great favours of the caliph, and to take vengeance on his unworthy - companion. There is, under my throne, an inscription, which the - caliph must read and contemplate. Its contents will remind him of - me, and make him pardon my inability to give him more.' - -"The caliph, on hearing this, put his hand under the throne, and found -the inscription, which consisted of some lines, inscribed on a ruby as -large as the palm of the hand. The Moobids read this also. It contained -information where would be found concealed a treasure of gold and arms, -with some caskets of rich jewels: under this was written, - - 'These I give to the caliph in return for the good he has done me; - let him take them and be happy.' - -"When Hāroon-oor-Rasheed was about to leave the tomb, Hoosein-ben-Sāhil -his vizier said to him, 'O lord of the faithful, what is the use of all -these precious gems which ornament the abode of the dead, and are of -no benefit to the living? Allow me to take some of them.' The caliph -replied with indignation, 'Such a wish is more worthy of a thief than -of a great or wise man.' Hoosein was ashamed of his speech, and said -to the servant who had been placed at the entrance of the tomb, 'Go -thou and worship the holy shrine within.' The man went into the tomb; -he was above a hundred years old, but he had never seen such a blaze -of wealth. He felt inclined to plunder some of it, but was at first -afraid: at last, summoning all his courage, he took a ring from the -finger of Noosheerwān, and came away. - -"Hāroon saw this man come out, and observing him alarmed, he at once -conjectured what he had been doing. Addressing those around him, he -said, 'Do not you now see the extent of the knowledge of Noosheerwān? -He prophesied that there should be one unworthy man with me; it is this -fellow: what have you taken?' said he, in an angry tone. 'Nothing,' -said the man. 'Search him,' said the caliph. It was done, and the -ring of Noosheerwān was found. This the caliph immediately took, and -entering the tomb, replaced it on the cold finger of the deceased -monarch. When he returned, a terrible sound, like that of loud thunder, -was heard. - -"Hāroon came down from the mountain on which the tomb stood, and -ordered the road to be made inaccessible to future curiosity. He -searched for, and found, in the place described, the gold, the arms, -and the jewels bequeathed to him by Noosheerwān, and sent them to -Bagdad. - -"Among the rich articles found was a golden crown, which had five -sides, and was richly ornamented with precious stones. On every side a -number of admirable lessons were written. The most remarkable were as -follows. - -First side. - - 'Give my regards to those who know themselves. - - 'Consider the end before you begin, and before you advance provide - a retreat. - - 'Give not unnecessary pain to any man, but study the happiness of - all. - - 'Ground not your dignity upon your power to hurt others.' - -Second side. - - 'Take counsel before you commence any measure, and never trust its - execution to the inexperienced. - - 'Sacrifice your property for your life, and your life for your - religion. - - 'Spend your time in establishing a good name; and if you desire - fortune, learn contentment.' - -Third side. - - 'Grieve not for that which is broken, stolen, burnt, or lost. - - 'Never give orders in another man's house; and accustom yourself to - eat your bread at your own table. - - 'Make not yourself the captive of women.' - -Fourth side. - - 'Take not a wife from a bad family, and seat not thyself with those - who have no shame. - - 'Keep thyself at a distance from those who are incorrigible in bad - habits, and hold no intercourse with that man who is insensible to - kindness. - - 'Covet not the goods of others. - - 'Be guarded with monarchs, for they are like fire, which blazeth - but destroyeth. - - 'Be sensible to your own value; estimate justly the worth of - others; and war not with those who are far above thee in fortune.' - -Fifth side. - - 'Fear kings, women, and poets. - - 'Be envious of no man, and habituate not thyself to search after - the faults of others. - - 'Make it a habit to be happy, and avoid being out of temper, or thy - life will pass in misery. - - 'Respect and protect the females of thy family. - - 'Be not the slave of anger; and in thy contests always leave open - the door of conciliation. - - 'Never let your expenses exceed your income. - - 'Plant a young tree, or you cannot expect to cut down an old one. - - 'Stretch your legs no farther than the size of your carpet.' - -"The caliph Hāroon-oor-Rasheed was more pleased with the admirable -maxims inscribed on this crown than with all the treasures he had -found. 'Write these precepts,' he exclaimed, 'in a book, that the -faithful may eat of the fruit of wisdom.' When he returned to Bagdad, -he related to his favourite vizier, Jaffier Bermekee, and his other -chief officers, all that had passed: and the shade of Noosheerwān was -propitiated by the disgrace of Hoosein-ben-Sāhil (who had recommended -despoiling his tomb), and the exemplary punishment of the servant who -had committed the sacrilegious act of taking the ring from the finger -of the departed monarch." - -Hāroon-oor-Rasheed, with all his fame for clemency, generosity, and -justice, appears from the very pages written to raise his fame, to have -had, like Shāh Abbas, his unlucky moments, when all his virtues were -obscured by acts of violent and cruel injustice. Witness his putting to -death the celebrated vizier, Jaffier Bermekee, and his vain efforts to -rob the memory of that virtuous and great minister of his just fame. - -Aga Meer related to me, after we had finished our translation, the -following story, which I must add, though I hate dwelling long upon any -of these eastern characters, however wonderful. - -"Hāroon-oor-Rasheed," said the good Meerzā, "when he had put to death -the celebrated Jaffier Bermekee, not contented with this cruelty, -wished to deprive him of those encomiums which the extraordinary -virtues of that minister had merited; and he published an order making -it death for any of the preachers or public speakers to mention the -name of Jaffier. This did not deter an old Arab from descanting with -great eloquence on the virtues of the deceased; he was warned of his -danger, but despised it; and on being taken and carried to the place -of execution, all he asked was to see the caliph for a few minutes. -This was granted. The monarch asked him how he came to disregard his -laws. 'Had I not praised Jaffier,' said the fearless Arab, 'I should -have been a monster of ingratitude, and unworthy the protection of any -laws.' 'Why?' said the caliph. 'I came,' replied the Arab, 'poor and -friendless to Bagdad. I lodged in a ruin in the skirts of the town, -where Jaffier discovered me. Pleased, as he afterwards told me, with -my conversation, he paid me frequent visits. One night I was seized -and hurried away I knew not whither. In the morning I found myself -in a magnificent Hemmām, and after bathing, was dressed by men in -fine robes, who called themselves my slaves. I was then mounted on a -horse with costly trappings, and conducted to an elegant palace, where -attendants, richly attired, welcomed me as their lord. Recovered from -my astonishment, I asked what all this meant. 'The habitation of a -Fakeer,'[87] said I, 'suits me better than this place; not a corner -of one of its saloons but is sufficient for my lodging; besides, I -could not remain happy, even in paradise, if absent from my dear wife -and children.' 'Your lordship's family,' said one of the servants, -'are in the inner apartments.' I was conveyed to them, and found their -adventures had been similar to mine. They were surrounded by female -slaves. - -"While we were expressing our mutual astonishment, Jaffier was -announced, and I found my old visitor in the ruin, and Jaffier the -vizier of the great caliph, one and the same person. I endeavoured -to make him change his resolution of raising me to a rank for which -I had no desire, and thought my character unsuited: he was however -inflexible. 'You conquered me in an argument,' said he, 'on happiness -being increased with the increased power a virtuous man possesses of -doing good. You shall now have an opportunity of putting in practice -all those plans of beneficence to others which have hitherto only -employed your imagination.' 'I have ever since,' said the Arab, 'lived -in affluence; my friendship with Jaffier only ended with his life: to -him I owe all I possess; and was it possible for me to be deterred by -death itself from doing justice to his memory?' - -"Though the caliph's pride was hurt, he could not withhold his esteem -from a man of such courageous virtue. Instead of ordering him to be -executed, he endeavoured to gain his admiration by more splendid -generosity than Jaffier. 'Take that,' said he, giving him his sceptre, -which was virgin gold, studded with rich jewels. 'I take it,' said -the grateful and undaunted Arab; 'but this, also, commander of the -faithful, is from Bermekee.'" - -Before quitting Nethenz I accompanied the Elchee in a ride through its -streets and gardens, which are so intermingled as to give it a singular -and pleasing appearance: you can scarcely tell whether you are in the -town or the country. We saw plenty of the pears and peaches, for which -my friend told me it was famous. As to its pretty ladies, they saw us, -no doubt, through the trellis-work of their dark veils, while we could -only dwell upon their beauties with the eyes of our imagination. - -I complained to my friend, Khan Sāhib, of the privation of the innocent -pleasure of gazing upon the features of a lovely female; and then -I added, "What a mortification must it be for the lady to have her -charms denied that tribute of admiration which is their due!" "True," -answered my little friend; "it is very hard upon a few, but then think -how much numbers owe to that veil, which conceals age and ugliness, as -well as youth and beauty. I once," he observed, "fell violently in love -with one of these veiled ladies, whom I saw sometimes at a window, and -sometimes gliding like a phantom through the streets. She continued, -for a month, to occupy all my waking thoughts, and the image of her -beauties disturbed my rest. I first cast love-tokens into her windows, -in the shape of nosegays; then I persuaded an old woman to pour out all -the raptures of my soul at the feet of the object of my devotion. To -make a long story short, I was at last promised an interview. I waited -with impatience for the moment of anticipated delight. When admitted -into the presence of my fair I became wild with joy; I praised her -shape, the sweetness of her melodious voice, the captivating graces of -her manner, and, above all, her beautiful face. She long resisted my -entreaties to remove her veil. This I deplored in the words of Hāfiz, -exclaiming, - - 'O alas![88] O alas! and O alas! that such a moon should be - concealed behind a cloud.' - -"What with prose, poetry, and flattery," added Khan Sāhib, "I succeeded -at last. Would to God I had not! but perhaps it has done me good: for -what I saw of my imaginary angel has reconciled me for life to veils -and clouds." - -As we were talking we arrived at a citadel which was the residence of -the old Hākim, or governor Hajee Abd-ool-Cāsim, to whom the Elchee paid -a visit. We were received in a room at the top of one of the highest -turrets, from whence we had a commanding view of the surrounding -scenery. Nothing could be more singular or beautiful. The valley of -Nethenz, which is inclosed by mountains, is itself a succession of -eminences and small hills. The fruitful gardens, which occupied every -spot where there were no houses, extended eight miles. Seldom above -one, and never more than two of these gardens, were upon the same -level; they either appeared in a circle, converging towards the common -centre of an eminence that rose above the others, or were seen sloping -in flights along the hills that bordered upon the mountains. Rows of -lofty sycamores and spreading walnuts marked the lines of the streets -and the divisions of the gardens; and the latter were fenced round -with thick mulberry hedges, whose leaves, the Hākim informed us, fed -innumerable silk-worms, the produce of which formed the finest of the -silk manufactured at the cities of Cashan and Isfahan. - -The sun was shining bright as we gazed upon this enchanting scene, and -its beauty was greatly increased by numerous clear streams, which, -pouring from the neighbouring hills, either flowed or were conducted -among the gardens and orchards, where they appeared lost, till seen -glistening through those parts where the foliage was lighter or wholly -removed. - -The Elchee was quite delighted with the prospect. After remaining for -some time abstracted in contemplating its beauties, he turned round -to the governor, and with assumed gravity proposed to change stations -with him. "I should," said the old Hajee, with a faint smile, "make -a bad Elchee; and the pleasure you have enjoyed in looking at this -town from that window is the greatest you would ever know if you were -its Hākim." When making this last observation, he shook his head in a -manner too plainly indicating that the scene of abundance with which he -was surrounded, was to him the source of more trouble than enjoyment. - -I mentioned my suspicions to my friend Hajee Hoosein, as he came to me -with an evening kelliān. "Ah!" said he, imitating the exclamation of -his countrymen on entering the charming vale of Desht-e-Arjun, "Irān -hemeen-est! Irān hemeen-est! This is Persia! this is Persia! But God is -just, as Sādee says: he gives fertile fields, roses, and nightingales, -with wicked men, to one country, and deserts and screech-owls, with -righteous men, to another; and again he tells us, 'It is not the -silk-worm but he that wears the silk vest that is to be envied.'" - -I was quite satisfied with the meaning and moral of my friend's -quotations, though I confess I have looked in vain over the pages of -Sādee to discover them in his volumes. But the Hajee, like many of his -countrymen, has such a deference for that inimitable author, that he -ascribes all sentiments that appear just to him, as the sole source of -human wisdom. - -FOOTNOTES: - -[77] Persian groom. - -[78] The ancient Hyrcania. - -[79] In Persia the term rood-khāneh, or the bed of a stream, is the -common word for a river--an idiom which has probably arisen from the -fact stated. - -[80] Some of these mirrors exceeded eight feet in length. - -[81] Mr. Randall, who is here alluded to, was a very ingenious -carpenter, who had been in an English man-of-war employed in -discoveries. He had been in the habit of mixing with the natives of -the places he visited and was on this occasion of great use; for the -Persian artizans, employed under his directions, worked with more zeal -and readiness from his dressing like them and living amongst them. - -[82] Fermān means a command, signifies here a letter or mandate -addressed by a superior to an inferior. - -[83] The minarets of the Mahomedan mosques are, like the steeples -of our churches, of all sizes; those we visited were of ordinary -dimensions. - -[84] I have been informed by one who had personal means of making the -comparison, that he considered the general condition of the Persian -peasantry to be fully equal if not superior to that of the same class -in Russia or Poland. - -[85] Moobid is the Persian term for a priest of the fire-worshippers. - -[86] The name of one of the months in the ancient Persian calendar. - -[87] Religious mendicant. - -[88] Ei dereeghā, ei dereeghā, oo ei dereegh! kih hem-choo māh pinhān -shoodzeer-e-meegh. - - - - -CHAPTER XIV. - - Cashan--Scorpions--Cāshānee Youth--Village of Sinsin--Plundering - Expeditions of the Tūrkūmāns--Account of that Tribe--Wandering - Tribes--Visit to the Dwelling of Mihrāb Khan Afshār--Account of his - Family and Adherents--Anecdote of Kerreem Khan. - - -Cashan, to which we went from Nethenz, is situated on the verge of a -desert, and no city can present a more uninviting aspect. We were, -however, accommodated in the Bāgh-e-Fin, an excellent house and garden, -through which there is a clear stream, which, while it refreshes the -latter, gives an ample supply of water to the marble-baths belonging to -the small but delightful royal residence. - -"May you be stung by a scorpion of Cashan," is a common malediction -in Persia; and all are agreed that this city is famous for producing -the largest and most venomous species of this reptile. We were -however assured, that, partaking of that spirit of hospitality which -distinguishes the Persian nation, they never sting a stranger. - -"This fact," said Agar Meer to me, "is asserted by Ameen Rāzee, a -respectable writer, and the author of a famous work called the Heft -Akleem, or 'Seven Climates.'" "The same respectable writer," said Khan -Sāhib, "compares the mud houses and narrow streets of Cashan, to the -angelic cheeks of the resplendent Hoorees of Paradise, whose smiles are -promised to the faithful. I could almost wish," he added, "to be stung -by one of his scorpions, that my mind might be satisfied there was no -truth in his comparison; otherwise my dreams of futurity will never be -realised." - -Agar Meer, who disliked wit when it ridiculed religion, gravely replied -to this sally, "Ameen Rāzee's facts may be correct, though his -metaphors are extravagant." "That may be true," said my Hindustānnee -friend, Mahomed Hoosein, "but, according to the fable of the scorpion -and tortoise, the former has no power over his nature." - -"I have read," said the good Moonshee, "that a tortoise and a scorpion -travelled the same road for a considerable distance in good fellowship. -The latter, on the ground of this new friendship, asked the former to -carry him over a deep stream. The tortoise complied; but what was his -surprise to find his companion endeavouring with all his might to sting -him! When he had placed him safe on the opposite shore, he turned to -him and said, 'Are not you the most wicked and ungrateful of reptiles? -But for me you must either have given up your journey, or have been -drowned in that stream, and what is my reward? If it had not been for -the armour which God has given me, I should have been stung to death.' -'Blame me not,' said the scorpion, in a supplicatory tone, 'it is not -my fault; it is that of my nature; it is a constitutional habit[89] I -have of stinging!'" "Now," said Mahomed Hoosein, not wishing to offend -his brother of the pen, "this fable certainly applies to scorpions in -general; those of Cashan may be different: they may have that regard -for strangers which Aga Meer has stated them to have, on the authority -of Ameen Rāzee." "It may be so,"[90] I remarked; and this phrase of -doubtful assent put an end (as in Persia it is always meant to do) to -all further discussion on the subject. - -We left Cashan without any of our party being stung, which is a -negative proof in favour of Ameen Rāzee and other authors who have -eulogized its scorpions; but the point cannot yet be considered as -determined. It will no doubt therefore continue to receive, as it has -hitherto, the attention of all travellers who possess learning, and are -curious in their research after facts of natural history. - -The inhabitants of Cashan, like those of Isfahan, are more celebrated -as silk weavers than warriors. When Nadir Shāh returned from India -he published a proclamation, permitting the followers of his army to -return to their homes. It is narrated that thirty thousand of those who -belonged to Cashan and Isfahan applied to this monarch for a guard of -a hundred musketeers to escort them safe to their wives and children. -"Cowards!" exclaimed he, in a fury; "Would I were a robber again for -the sake of waylaying and plundering you all. Is not my success a -miracle," said he to those around him, "with such a set of dastards in -my camp!" - -This story and many others were told us as we were sitting in one of -the cool rooms of the palace of Fin, commenting on the qualities of the -Cāshānees. - -My old friend Mahomed Shereef Khan Burgshattee told me he had once a -convincing proof that a Cāshānee might be a brave man. "On returning," -said he, "from the pursuit of a small party of plundering Tūrkūmāns, -I found that ten of my men had surrounded a fine looking youth, who -was on a dry spot in a morass, where not more than two could approach -him at a time. He had only a sword and a spear, but refused to yield; -inviting his opponents to use their fire-arms, since they durst not -fight him on equal terms. Struck with his appearance and courage, I -solicited him to surrender, and assured him he should be well treated. -'I know better,' said he, 'than to regard the promises of a faithless -Persian, who the moment I was unarmed would maltreat and murder me.' -I ordered my men to withdraw to a distance, and after making a vow he -should be well used, and leaving my arms on the ground, I rode forward, -saying, 'I will confide in you, though you dare not trust me.' The -youth, subdued by this action, sprung from his horse, threw down his -spear and sword, and hastened to kiss my stirrup; offering at the same -time his services, which I accepted. - -"I desired him to remount," continued Mahomed Shereef Khan, "and we -rejoined my astonished followers. After complimenting him on his -courage, I asked where he was born? 'At Cashan,' he said. 'You a -Cāshānee!' I replied with surprise. 'I am,' said he; 'my father was a -silk weaver, and I had just begun to learn his business, being about -twelve years of age, when having gone with some companions to amuse -ourselves at a distance from the town, we were surprised and carried -off by a party of Tūrkūmāns. I was adopted into the family of one of -their chiefs, who carefully instructed me in horsemanship and the use -of arms. I have ever since accompanied him in his plundering incursions -into Persia and other countries.' - -"Now," said the old Mehmandar, "this man continued twenty years with -me; he only died about a twelvemonth ago, and maintained till the day -of his death the character he had established at our first meeting. -This example," he concluded, "satisfies me that it is possible the son -of a weaver, if properly brought up, may be a brave man. Nevertheless, -there can be no doubt these silk manufactories give bad habits, and -spoil many a good soldier." - -Our first march from Cashan was to the cāravānserāi of Sinsin. We -found the village, which had been very flourishing thirty years ago, a -complete ruin, with only a few inhabitants. Amongst these was an old -man, who gave me an account of the incursions of parties of savage -Tūrkūmāns, who year after year laid waste their fields, plundered their -dwellings, and carried their wives and children into slavery. - -I asked him if no means had been taken to prevent these inroads. -"Alas!" said he, "our own country, at the period of which I speak, was -in too distracted a state to admit of any such precautions, and we were -too weak to defend ourselves against such daring and ferocious men. -Besides, they came and vanished in a moment. Thirty or forty mounted -robbers and twenty led horses used to surprise us at daylight: all the -spoil they could carry, together with women and children, were fastened -on the led horses, and in an hour or two they were in full march to -their homes, on the eastern shores of the Caspian Sea. - -"If we attempted resistance," continued the narrator of this sad tale, -"as we sometimes did, they became furious; our houses were burnt, the -old and helpless massacred, and all the property they could not bear -away was destroyed. Look here," said he, pointing to some scars, "Look -at these; I got them in attempting to save my little brother and two -sisters from the merciless grasp of these ruthless spoilers. I was -left for dead, while my poor father, who was wounded also, had only -sufficient life left to reach Cashan, where he expired, after giving -intelligence of our fate. Some horsemen were sent in pursuit, but their -pampered animals, kept to parade in squares and market-places, could -never overtake the trained horses of the plunderers, who used to come -two hundred fersekhs[91] and return in ten days. - -"But, thank God," he concluded, "if the Kajirs who now fill the throne -of Persia have done us no other good, it is no slight blessing to be -freed from the ravages of these terrible Yamoots; that is the name -of the tribe who made the inroads upon us. They dwell in the plains -near Astrabad, and are friends of our royal family, who are natives of -that place: besides, now that Persia is settled, they find there is -more profit, and less danger, in breeding and selling horses, than in -plundering and murdering their neighbours." - -I had ten years before seen a good deal of some Tūrkūmāns at Teheran. -Their character, and what I learnt of their habits, quite prepared me -to believe the melancholy tale which was told me by the old villager, -towards whom I showed a sympathy that surprised him; for scenes like -these are so common in Persia, that they attract little attention. -The fact is, the Tūrkūmāns are only a shade more savage than those -tribes of Persian and Tartar origin, who form the military class of -this nation, and who, though restrained in some degree of order, when -the government is strong, cherish their lawless habits, and are ready -at a moment to show them, when invited to do so, by the weakness or -distraction of the state. - -The Tūrkūmāns[92] have long been familiar to Persian history as -depredators. This race of Tartars has small eyes, high cheek bones, -thin beards, and robust frames. The women, though with softer features, -and some with good complexions, are seldom beauties; and they are -generally more valued for their capability of enduring fatigue, and for -giving birth to, and bringing up stout children, than for any of those -charms and accomplishments which are so highly prized in more civilized -society. - -During the last century the limits of Persia have been more confined -than formerly, and these Tūrkūmān tribes may now be considered more as -borderers to that country than as forming part of its population. They -appear indeed to have cultivated and fostered all the qualities which -might be expected to belong to a race so situated, and have become, in -virtue of usage, entitled alternately to claim the privilege of being -protected by, or the right of plundering, the kingdoms they divide. - -The Tūrkūmāns trace their descent to the great Moghul monarch Aghooz -Khan, the son of Kara Khan, the son of Moghul Khan, the son of the -Lord knows who. Their great progenitor was famous for his five sons, -his bow, and his three golden arrows! At his death he divided the -bow, which is the type of power, between the two elder, to whom he -consigned his great empire. To each of the three younger he gave an -arrow, signifying by that bequest that they and their descendants were -to obey their elder brethren; to be chiefs, generals, and embassadors, -and to fly at command, as an arrow when directed from the bow. The -Tūrkūmāns belong to one of the junior branches of this great family, -but they have not hitherto been remarkable for any of the dispositions -or qualities likely to render them useful or obedient servants. - -I had the account of their origin, as well as many other facts -connected with their history, from an old Tūrkūmān called Rahmān Beg, -of whom I bought some horses. A short anecdote will give his character. -I was anxious to buy a very fine animal he had, but I delayed the -purchase from an objection to his head, which was large and ugly. One -day as I was commenting on this unsightly member, my friend lost all -patience, "What the devil," said he, "do they ride on the head of a -horse in your country, that you are so particular as to its size and -beauty?" - -This rude, but intelligent barbarian, though he could neither read -nor write, and had the utmost contempt for Moollāhs (a term which, -with him, included all priests and scholars), was as familiar with -the history of his own tribe as Mirkhond, or any of the best Eastern -historians. - -"You have, no doubt," said he to me, "read of the famous Seljūkian -Prince Sanjar. That sovereign, not content with an annual tribute -of twenty-four thousand sheep which we gave him, wanted to increase -the number, and to send one of his own officers to choose from our -flocks, instead of trusting to the honour of our chiefs. This we could -never put up with; so we fought him, destroyed his army, and took -him prisoner. He was for some years set upon a throne every day, and -confined in a cage every night; but at last he made his escape; and -being a soft-hearted, foolish blockhead, died of grief, from seeing -the state of desolation to which we had reduced his favourite province -of Khorassan! After this," continued he, "we became the terror of the -world, and the name of Tūrkūmān, which had long been despised, was -dreaded everywhere. Who has not heard," said he exultingly, "of our -princes and chiefs who subdued kingdoms, and plundered empires, under -the glorious banners of the white and the black sheep? But these days -of sovereignty did not last long; we separated, and have never since -done any thing worthy of mention. The tribe of Yamoot," continued my -old friend, "to which I belong, remained long unsubdued, and made -famous annual inroads into Persia; but the late king, Aga Mahomed -Khan, who was a cruel, wily, old rogue, spoiled all that sport. Being -well acquainted with our haunts, he made a sudden incursion into our -country, slew numbers, and brought away many captives, the majority of -whom were women and children." - -"The possession of our families," said Rahmān Beg, as he concluded -this short history of his tribe, "compelled our chiefs to enter into -a compact not to plunder, and they have been obliged to give their -children as hostages for its faithful performance. The present king -has improved upon the policy of his uncle: a colony of our tribe is -established at Teheran; some are in service, and the others, though -strictly watched, are permitted to trade. If matters go on in this -way our sons will become a set of blackguard horse-dealers, instead -of gallant warriors, and their children will be instructed in the art -of cheating unwary citizens, instead of the more manly occupation of -plundering a rich traveller. We shall have no more fine Persian girls -to keep our tents clean, and dress our victuals, nor active fellows to -rub our horses, or attend our flocks! What a sad change! And as to our -profits in breeding and selling horses, I have known more money given -in one day for the ransom of a nobleman or a wealthy merchant, than our -whole tribe can now make by trafficking in cattle for a twelvemonth!" - -I asked Rahmān Beg, how he, as a Mahomedan, could reconcile himself -to make slaves of persons of the same religion? "What," said he, "do -you count these rascally Sheāhs, the Persians, who deny the first four -Caliphs, to be of the same religion as we Soonees?--they are vile -schismatics." "Then," I observed, "when you made Soonees captives, you -did not make them slaves?" "Why! I don't know; I think," he added, -laughing, "we should in such case have been compelled to become Sheāhs -ourselves; for slaves we must have." - -The Tūrkūmāns, of whom Rahmān Beg is a fair specimen, pay little if -any regard to religion beyond a few ceremonies. The rites observed at -their births, funerals, and marriages, are not essentially different -from those of the other wandering tribes in Persia. The courage of this -tribe is proverbial, and both the Persians and Afghāns admit their -extraordinary prowess. They use bows and arrows, and some few have -fire-arms, but the weapon on which they place most dependence is the -spear. This is in general from ten to twelve feet long, rudely formed, -and with a short piece of steel at the point. - -As we were one day looking at a party of the king's guards,[93] each of -whom was armed with a sword, a spear, a pair of pistols, and a dagger, -Rahmān Beg tossed up his head in contempt, exclaiming, "What is the -good of all that arsenal? what can a soldier want beyond a spear and a -heart?"[94] - -The Tūrkūmāns are fond of music and dancing. The celebrated song of -"Koor Ogloo," or The Son of the Blind Man, is chanted when they go to -battle, and is said to have a wonderful effect in exciting the courage -of this rude race. I asked Rahmān Beg to give me a copy of this song; -he could not, but gave me its general purport, and repeated some lines -with great animation. - -The burthen of the song is the wonderful deeds of the son of a poor -blind old man, who employed himself in plundering travellers and -caravans, while his father dwelt in the recesses of a wood which lay -between two great cities. The prowess of the single arm of the "Son of -the blind man" was so great, that hundreds could not withstand it; and -when thousands were sent against him, his fleet horse Kerāt carried him -to a place of security. - -The praises of the hero and his horse, the prodigies of valour of -the one, the wonderful fleetness of the other, with the descriptions -of rich plunder, and beautiful damsels, which abound throughout this -song, are quite congenial to the habits of a Tūurkūmān; and I could -believe all the feelings, that I was told its recitation produced, from -the effect the mere account of it that he gave me had on Rahmān Beg. -"Others of the Tartar blood," said my old friend, "admire this fine -composition; but a set of fellows who live as they do, are not worthy -of such verses; and we also," he added, "if we go on as we are now -doing, shall soon be ashamed to hear them sung by our minstrels; who -may well cherish these old strains, for we no longer supply them with -deeds for new songs of battle!" - -I was very anxious to learn all I could of the breed and management -of the Tūrkūmān horses, which are so highly valued in Persia. They -are of good size, being from fifteen to sixteen hands high, of -excellent temper, and of a shape, like that of the highest bred English -carriage-horses, lengthy and strong limbed; and often showing a great -deal of blood. - -The Tūrkūmāns trace all their best horses to Arabian sires; and they -believe that the race degenerates, after three or four descents, unless -it is, what they term, "refreshed." This makes them most anxious -to obtain fine Arabian horses. Rahmān Beg and his brother offered -the Elchee a large sum for a very fine animal he had brought from -Abusheher, and they seemed greatly disappointed that he would not part -with him. - -The size of the horses is attributed to the fine pasture lands on which -they are reared; and the extraordinary capability of bearing fatigue to -their blood, and the manner in which they are trained. They ride them -with snaffles, and allow them to go slouching along with their necks -loose. They speak with contempt of horsemen who rein up their horses, -and throw them on their haunches. "It is taking the animal," said -Rahmān Beg to me, "off his natural position; and for what? to get a -little readiness[95] in the plain; and for this power of skirmishing, -you hurt, if you do not altogether lose, the long walk, trot, and -gallop, to which we trust in our forays!"[96] - -These plunderers train their horses, as much as we do our racers or -hunters. Before they begin their expeditions, they put them into -complete condition, and the marches they perform are astonishing. -According to their own accounts, some have gone forty fersekhs (140 -miles) within twenty-four hours; and it was ascertained on most minute -inquiry, that parties of them, in their predatory inroads, were in the -habit of marching from twenty to thirty fersekhs (from 70 to 105 miles) -for twelve or fifteen days together, without a halt. - -Before proceeding on a foray they knead a number of small hard balls of -barley-meal, which, when wanted, they soak in water, and this serves -as food to both themselves and their horses. It is a frequent practice -with them in crossing deserts, where no water is to be found, to open a -vein in the shoulder of the horse, and to drink a little of his blood; -which, according to their opinion, benefits, rather than injures the -animal, while it refreshes the rider. On my appearing to doubt this -fact, Rahmān Beg showed me several old horses, on which there were -numerous marks of having been bled; and he assured me they never had -recourse to phlebotomy but on such occasions as have been stated. - -The Eelyāts, or wandering tribes in Persia, are like the Tūrkūmāns, -but somewhat less barbarous. They have been often described, and one -good picture of this race serves for all, for they are little subject -to change; and while every tradition and every work on the ancient -history of Persia proves that many of its more southern inhabitants, -particularly those of the mountains of Kerman and Lauristan, have been -nomades, or wandering tribes, from time immemorial, we find in the -Turkish Eelyāts who have overrun the northern provinces, the language, -the habits, and the appearance of the Tartar race to which they belong. - -The qualities most prized amongst these tribes are courage in men, -and chastity in women. The females who dwell in tents wear no veils. -They welcome strangers, are very hospitable, and their manner, though -confident, is by no means immodest. The Elchee on his return from the -first mission, when riding one day near a small encampment of Afshār -families, expressed doubts to his mehmandar, a Persian nobleman, as to -the reported boldness and skill in horsemanship of their females. The -mehmandar immediately called to a young woman of handsome appearance, -and asked her in Turkish if she was a soldier's daughter? She said -she was. "And you expect to be a mother of soldiers," was the next -observation. She smiled. "Mount that horse," said he, pointing to one -with a bridle, but without a saddle, "and show this European Elchee -the difference between a girl of a tribe and a citizen's daughter." -She instantly sprung upon the animal, and setting off at full speed, -did not stop till she had reached the summit of a small hill in the -vicinity, which was covered with loose stones. When there, she waved -her hand over her head, and came down the hill at the same rate at -which she had ascended it. Nothing could be more dangerous than the -ground over which she galloped; but she appeared quite fearless, and -seemed delighted at having an opportunity of vindicating the females of -her tribe from the reproach of being like the ladies of cities.[97] - -The wives and daughters of the chiefs, who accompany their relations -to cities and towns, have in some degree adopted the customs of -citizens; but neither such changes of manners in the ladies, nor the -habits acquired by the men, are suffered to dissolve their ties with -followers, whose devoted attachment and readiness to adopt their cause, -or to revenge their death, constitute their strength and safeguard, -amidst all the hazards with which they are surrounded. - -The habits and sentiments of this class of people interested me -exceedingly; and my anxiety to observe as much as I could of their -domestic arrangements, made me delighted on hearing that the Elchee -intended a visit to the house of his mehmandar, Mihrāb Khan Afshār, a -man of high family, and who holds an office at court. - -The day before we arrived at his house I met him on the march, having -a letter in his hand, with the contents of which he appeared highly -offended. "I hope you have no unpleasant news," I said. "Nothing," -was his reply; "except that I am directed in this mandate from his -majesty's minister, to be most careful in protecting the villages and -grounds we have to pass, and not take a blade of grass from them. The -chief of the tribe to which these lands belong," he added in a rage, -"has obtained this order. The scoundrel! But this is another item to -the account which I shall some day settle with compound interest." - -"You must know," said Mihrāb Khan, seeing I did not quite comprehend -him, "this tribe and mine have a long-continued feud. Our lands adjoin; -the government is too strong at present to admit of attacking each -other openly like brave men; so we endeavour, like sneaking rascals, to -do each other all the mischief we can by intrigues and plots at court. -They are at present in great favour, and have recently obtained the -transfer of a small tribe, whose tents you have just passed, and who -were formerly our peasants." "Who are these peasants?" I asked. "Oh," -said the Turkish chief, "they belong to one of the old Persian tribes, -which it is the policy of the king to break, and so he parcels them -amongst us Turks; but that has nothing to do with his taking them from -us, and giving them to our enemies." - -During this conversation we had reached the summit of an eminence, -from which Mihrāb Khan, his eyes glistening with joy, pointed out the -ruins of a village. "Look there," said he, "it is twenty-five years -since I accompanied my uncle Hāshem Khan to an attack of that village; -we completely sacked and destroyed it. The rascals had no Shāhin-Shāh -(king of kings) to protect them then. But there is one consolation, -these stupid times cannot last for ever; and if I live long enough to -give these vagabonds another sound drubbing, I shall die contented!" - -The morning after this conversation, we arrived at the fort of -Hāshem,[98] a name given to this castle, after the founder, the uncle -of our mehmandar. We were met by four nephews of the latter, several of -his relations, a troop of his followers, and his little son Shāhverdee, -who, though only eight years of age, paid his compliments to the Elchee -in a most formal style, and managed with great address a large and -spirited horse. - -When we entered the fort, we found it completely dismantled, and two -of the bastions thrown down. This was done, we were informed, by the -jealousy of the king, who disapproved of his nobles having strongholds. - -We had no sooner finished a very plentiful breakfast, than our host -retired to his inner apartment, and returned, leading in his hand a -stout, chubby, red-cheeked boy, between three and four years of age. -Of this little fellow, he seemed very proud; there could not be a -finer child: he, also, was well trained, and made his obeisance to the -Elchee, like a high bred young gentleman, and took his seat near his -father. We however managed, though not without some difficulty, to -discompose his gravity, and soon discovered, that he was, as his father -had described him, a proper Young Pickle. - -In introducing me to his relations Mihrāb Khan gave me a short history -of his family. "My father," said he, "had two brothers, one older and -one younger than himself. Here (pointing to them) are four young men, -the grandsons of my eldest uncle, who was head of the family. Their -eldest brother is with the king, commanding a body of horse, all of the -tribe of Afshār, and this (turning to an elderly person) is my cousin, -the son of my younger uncle. - -"My family," said the Khan, "consists of six children, of whom you -have seen two: they are all (except one) by the same mother, my wife, -the daughter of Fatteh Ali Khan Afshār, a famous chief, who, on the -death of Nadir Shāh (whom you know was of our tribe) aspired to the -throne. My good father-in-law, however, lost his life in the attempt to -become a king, and I married his orphan daughter, an excellent woman, -but who carries her head rather high, as no doubt she has a right to -do, from recollection of her father's pretensions! Look!" said he, -speaking softly, for the apartment we were in was within hearing of -the interior; "look at that youngster at the other end of the room: -he is my son. His mother was the daughter of a jeweller at Isfahan, -an uncommonly pretty girl. He is a fine lad, but I dare hardly notice -him; and he is, you will observe, not allowed to sit within ten yards -of the grandsons of Fatteh Ali Khan Afshār! This is all very proper," -he added; "it is attention to the dam, as well as the sire, that keeps -the breed good. Besides, the influence of females amongst us Eelyāts is -very great, and if we did not treat them with respect, matters would -not long be right." - -Mihrāb Khan next gave me an account of the mode in which their family -lands were allotted, and how the disbursements of the respective -branches of the family were made. "My father and his brothers lived -together," said he, "and we do the same. Our inheritance was equal, -and each of the three branches is charged a day's expenditure, -successively. Entertainments and imposts are paid in equal shares. We -seek by intermarriages to strengthen those ties, which are our only -defence against oppression and destruction. - -"We are Turks," he concluded, laughing, "and consequently, you may -suppose, have often violent quarrels, but the necessity of our -condition soon reconciles us again; and we are at present, and will I -trust long continue, an united family!" - -I remarked in the followers of Mihrāb Khan, as I had done in other -tribes, an attachment to their chief approaching to a perfect devotion. -It was a love and duty, of inheritance, strengthened by the feelings -of twenty generations. Though the superior in general repaid this -feeling with regard and protection, I saw many instances of its being -considered as much a property as the land, and the inanimate goods and -chattels, which he who received it had inherited from his father. - -There are few countries which can boast of more examples of devoted -allegiance of chiefs to their sovereign, as well as of followers to -their chiefs, than Persia: but this will not recommend them to many -of my readers. We live in a refined and artificial age, and, vain of -our condition, we laugh to scorn feelings which were the pride of our -ancestors, and which at this moment form the only ties that preserve -order over nine-tenths of the universe. - -Allegiance of any description is, according to some philosophers, a -folly if not a crime, and quite beneath the dignity of human beings. -Others admit that from being a cherished prejudice, it may in some -cases have a salutary action; but those who view man as formed by his -Creator, and who contemplate the origin of those motives by which -he is actuated, will find that the feeling of dependence with which -allegiance is associated, and which in the silence of reason often -leads to a line of action beneficial to the community as well as -the individual, is not the less valuable from being grafted on his -weakness; a part of his nature, by the by, requiring much more the care -and attention of philosophers than his strength, for that can take care -of itself. - -Allegiance is the duty a child owes to its parent, for birth, -nourishment, and protection. It is that which collected families owe to -a chief of their tribe, who is their point of union, and consequently -of their security; and in its climax it is that which chiefs and -their followers owe to a sovereign, their concentrated attachment to -whom is the ground of their safety and their glory as a nation. This -feeling gains strength by becoming hereditary. It is associated with -the fame of individuals, of families, of tribes, and of empires; it is -conservative, it is destructive; but even in its most dreadful action -it has in it an ennobling principle, for it is congenial with the most -natural, as well as the highest and noblest feelings of the human mind. - -The wandering tribes in Persia are not more remarkable for attachment -to their chiefs than for the affection relations bear to each other, -and the strength of those ties by which every individual is bound to -the community of which he is a part. - -A Persian friend of mine related to me in illustration of this fact, an -authentic and affecting anecdote of the conduct of an old man of one of -those tribes during the reign of Kerreem Khan Zend. - -Twelve men had been robbed and murdered under the walls of Shiraz. -The perpetrators of this atrocious act could not for a long period -be discovered, but Kerreem Khan deeming this occurrence so deeply -injurious to that impression of security and justice which it was the -labour of his life to establish, commanded the officers of justice to -persevere in their search till the offenders were detected, threatening -them, and others who had heard the cries of the murdered men with -vengeance, unless they effected a discovery, which he considered -essential to his own reputation. - -After some months had elapsed, it was discovered by accident that a -small branch of Kerreem Khan's own tribe of Zend, at that time encamped -near Shiraz, were the murderers. Their guilt was clearly proved, and -all who had been actually engaged in the murder were sentenced to -death. Powerful intercession was made that some at least should be -pardoned, but the prince had vowed that every man should suffer, and -their being of his own favoured tribe made him more inexorable. They -had, he said, brought disgrace on him as their sovereign and as their -chief, and could not be forgiven. - -When the prisoners were brought before him to receive sentence, there -was amongst them a youth of twenty years of age, whose appearance -interested every spectator; but their anxiety was increased to pain -when they saw the father of this young man rush forward, and demand, -before they proceeded to the execution, to speak to the prince. -Permission was granted, and he addressed him as follows: - -"Kerreem Khan, you have sworn that these guilty men shall die, and it -is just; but I, who am not guilty, come here to demand a boon of my -chief. My son is young, he has been deluded into crime; his life is -forfeited, but he has hardly tasted the sweets of life; he is just -betrothed in marriage; I come to die in his stead: be merciful! let an -old worn out old man perish, and spare a youth, who may long be useful -to his tribe; let him live to drink of the waters, and till the ground -of his ancestors!" - -Kerreem Khan is stated to have been greatly moved by the old man's -appeal: he could not pardon the offence, having sworn on the Koran that -all concerned should be put to death; and with feelings very different -from our ideas of justice, but congenial to those of the chief of a -tribe, he granted the father's prayer, and the old man went exultingly -to meet his fate. While all around were filled with pity, his son, wild -and distracted with grief, was loud in imploring the prince to reverse -his decree, to inflict on him that death which he merited, and to save -the more valuable life of his aged, devoted, and innocent parent. - -FOOTNOTES: - -[89] Neeyet-e-naish zedden. - -[90] Boodeh-bāshed. - -[91] The standard fersekh of Persia is 6000 royal yards (gez-e-shāh), -which is somewhat more than three miles and a half. This measure, -however, varies in different provinces of that kingdom. - -[92] Many Persian authors assert that the word Tūrkūmān is from the -compound term Tūrk-mānend, or Turk-like; and the conclusion made -from this is, that they are a tribe of Tartars who, having become -inhabitants of the north-eastern part of Persia, were subsequently -designated by a name which marked their origin. Persian writers, -however, are generally bad etymologists, and I am a worse; I must, -therefore, leave this important question in doubt. - -[93] Gholam-e-Shāh. - -[94] Een kārkhāneh cheh fāideh; berāe sipāhee cheh zeroor sewāe neezeh -wa dil? - -[95] Hāzir mydānee. - -[96] Chappau. - -[97] History of Persia, vol. ii. p. 115. - -[98] Kella-e-Hāshem Khan. - - - - -CHAPTER XV. - - Arrival at Koom--Mahomedan Ladies--Their Rights and Privileges - after Marriage--Divorces--Story of Hajee Sālah, the Cross-Grained. - - -We went from Cashan to Koom, a very ancient and once populous city, -but the greater part of it is now in ruins. Several of the Seffavean -monarchs, and many celebrated and pious persons are interred at this -place; but notwithstanding the tombs of learned priests and great -monarchs, with which it is honoured, its present fame and sanctity are -chiefly derived from its containing the mortal remains of Fatima the -Immaculate,[99] who was the sister of the Imām Mehdee. - -The city of Koom was given sometime ago by the king as an estate to his -mother, a pious liberal old lady, who expended considerable sums in -restoring it to prosperity. She bestowed especial care in ornamenting -the shrine of the female saint, the dome of which being gilt has a -splendid appearance. This is a sanctuary even for murderers. - -Whatever ignorant Europeans may say of the exclusion of females from -the Mahomedan Paradise, the ladies who profess that religion have -the consolation to know, that not only in this instance, but that of -Fatima, the daughter of the Prophet, and in many others, they receive a -homage which proves their title to the adoration of man, as saints in -heaven, as well as angels upon earth. - -I have had frequent discussions with my Persian friends upon the -general condition of the female sex in this country; and cannot better -illustrate the subject than by relating what passed on an occasion -when I made a violent attack on their usages in this particular, and -brought them into strong contrast with those of the civilized nations -of Europe. - -I began by stating, that, by making slaves of one half of the creation -they made tyrants of the other. "I am only surprised," I said, "how -your females can bear the subjection and confinement to which they are -doomed. How our Christian ladies would scorn such restraints! Their -minds are cultivated as carefully as those of their fathers, brothers, -or husbands, who trust for their good conduct to their sense of virtue -and religion, rather than to strong doors and high walls. We desire," -I added, "that those who share our pleasures and our toils should be -acquainted with the world in which they live, that we may possess not -only an affectionate wife, but an intelligent friend. - -"Your Mahomedan ladies, on the contrary, are shut up like wild -animals: whilst moving from one inclosure to another they travel in a -curtained carriage; or, if walking, they are enveloped in robes which -merely admit of their breathing and seeing their way through small -eye-windows. Besides, they are not allowed to have any communication -but with their husbands, children, or slaves. What with flattering -one, coaxing another, beating a third, and fighting a fourth, these -ladies must have a fine time of it in this world; and as to the next, -though they are not denied Paradise, as we Europeans often erroneously -believe, they are only promised, as a reward for the most pious life, -half those blessings which await the virtuous of the male part of the -creation! - -"Your females," I said, "are married while mere children, and the -consequence is, they are old women at twenty-five. This furnishes you -with an excuse for forming other connexions, and treating your first -wives with neglect." - -This attack was listened to with symptoms of impatience; every one -seemed anxious to answer, but precedence was given to Jaffier Ali Khan, -and the ladies of his country could not have had a better advocate. - -"Really, sir, you form a very erroneous judgment of the condition of -our women. In this, as in many other instances, where our religion or -our customs are concerned, vulgar errors pass from one to another till -they are believed by all. Many persons in England imagine that a pigeon -was taught to pick peas from the ears of the Prophet, who thought he -might succeed by this device in persuading the ignorant that the pigeon -was a celestial messenger. They also say that his tomb at Mecca is -supported between heaven and earth by means of a loadstone. If true, -it would be a miracle; but it is not true: nevertheless people believe -it, and the more readily, because it is wonderful. Now," said Jaffier, -"it is the same with half the stories about our women. Why, I am told, -it is a common belief with you that Mahomed has declared women have -no souls! If you read the Koran you will find that our Prophet not -only ranks women with men as true believers, but particularly ordains -that they shall be well treated and respected by their husbands; he -has indeed secured that by establishing their right to dowers as well -as to claims of inheritance. He also has put it out of the power of a -husband to hurt the reputation of his wife, unless he can produce four -witnesses of her guilt; and should he have witnessed that himself, he -must swear four times to the fact, and then by a fifth oath imprecate -the wrath of God if he is a liar. Even after this, if the wife goes -through the same ceremony, and imprecates the wrath of God upon her -head if her husband does not swear falsely, her punishment is averted; -or if she is divorced, her whole dower must be paid to her, though it -involve the husband in ruin. What protection can be more effectual than -this? - -"Then a woman who is divorced may marry again after four months, -which is believed to be soon enough. These widows, I assure you, sir, -when they have a good dower, are remarkable for consulting their own -judgment as to a second choice; they are not like young giddy girls, -who are guided by their parents or the reports of old nurses or -match-makers." - -"But how do they see or hear," said I, "sufficient to direct them in -their choice?" - -"Why," said Jaffier Ali, "they see and hear much more than you imagine. -Besides the liberty they enjoy of going abroad, some of the rooms in -the merdāneh, or man's apartments, are only divided by a curtain or -skreen from the zenāneh, or female apartment; and the ladies can, when -they choose, both see and hear through that as much as they desire." - -"But what is the use of those peeps and chance meetings to your young -ladies, if they have not the liberty of choice with regard to their -husbands?" - -"Why, sir," said my friend, "our daughters are usually betrothed -when children, and married when very young; the husband is commonly -selected from equality of condition and age. All this is settled by the -parents, whose regard for their children, it is supposed, will make -them take every means to promote their happiness. It must be confessed, -however, that worldly motives often lead to youth and age being united; -but this, I am told, occurs even in England. You will say an English -father cannot force his daughter to marry, but he can no doubt use such -means as may oblige her to marry a man for whom she has an aversion, -or she may run away from her parents with some person of whom they -disapprove. - -"So you see," said Jaffier, "this liberty of choice which your forward, -though inexperienced, young ladies exercise, has bad as well as good -effects. Now our daughters never run away; and as they have seldom ever -seen their destined husbands, if they have no love for them, neither -have they any dislike. The change from the condition of a girl under -the strict subjection of her mother to that of a wife at the head of -her own part of the household is so agreeable, that they are too happy -to adopt it. - -"You English take your ideas of the situation of females in Asia from -what you hear and read of the harems of kings, rulers, and chiefs, -who being absolute over both the men and women of their territories, -indulge in a plurality of wives and mistresses. These, undoubtedly, -are immured within high walls, and are kept during life like slaves; -but you ought to recollect, that the great and powerful, who have such -establishments, are not in the proportion of one to ten thousand of -the population of the country. If a person of inferior rank marry a -woman of respectable connexions, she becomes mistress of his family; -and should he have only one house, he cannot place another on an -equality without a certainty of involving himself in endless trouble -and vexation, if not disgrace. The dower usually settled upon such a -lady, added to other privileges, and an unlimited authority over her -children and servants, give her much importance; and she is supported -by her relations in the assertion of every right with which custom has -invested her. - -"With regard to liberty, such a lady can not only go to the public -bath, but she visits for one or two days, as she chooses, at the house -of her father, brother, sister, or son. She not only goes to all these -places unattended, but her husband's following her would be deemed -an unpardonable intrusion. Then she has visitors at home; friends, -musicians, and dancers; the husband cannot enter the lady's part of the -house without giving notice. I only wish," said Jaffier Ali, laughing, -"you could see the bold blustering gentleman of the merdāneh in the -ladies' apartment; you would hardly believe him to be the same person. -The moment his foot crosses the threshold, every thing reminds him -he is no longer lord and master; children, servants, and slaves look -alone to the lady. In short, her authority is paramount: when she is -in good humour, everything goes on well; and when in bad, nothing goes -right. It is very well for grandees, who, besides power and wealth, -have separate houses and establishments, and are above all regard for -law and usage, to have harems, and wives, and female slaves; but for -others, though they may try the experiment, it can never answer;" and -he shook his head, apparently with that sincere conviction which is the -result of experience. - -Hajee Hoosein, who had brought our evening kelliāns, and was listening -to this defence of Mahomedan ladies with great attention, exclaimed at -this last sentence, "Sādee says very truly, - - 'Two dervishes can sleep on one carpet, - But two kings cannot rest in one kingdom.'" - -"Very true, Hajee," said Jaffier Ali, "nor can two mistresses be at -peace in one house." - -"Why, then," said I, "did your Prophet permit polygamy, and set so -bad an example? for while he limited his followers to four wives, he -obtained a peculiar dispensation to have nine himself, besides 'Slaves -of his right hand.'"[100] - -Meerzā Aga Meer, who is a holy Syed, and consequently of the Prophet's -family, took the word, as he is wont to do upon all occasions when he -hears a name so sacred irreverently treated. - -"The reasons of Mahomed (on whom be the blessing of God)," said the -Meerzā, calmly, "are inscrutable; but as far as his acts can be judged -by erring mortals, or considered otherwise than as proceeding from -Divine authority, we may believe that in permitting polygamy, he -only followed the custom of the Jews; in whose Prophet, Moses, you -Christians, as well as we Musselmans, believe. The limitation to four -legitimate wives was intended as a check, no doubt, upon those habits -of sensual indulgence, into which not only the affluent of the Jews, -but the Pagan Arabs, had fallen; and it was the enormity of their -vices which led our Prophet to denounce such severe punishment now and -hereafter upon those who continued to follow wicked courses. - -"There is no doubt," said Aga Meer, "that the custom to which you -have alluded, of very early marriages, and the effects of climate and -sedentary habits, bring on a premature old age in many of our females. -But after all, the number who take advantage of the license to have -a plurality of wives is not near so great as you imagine. Take a -thousand Persians and you will not find ten with more than two wives, -and not thirty with more than one. Who can afford it? The expense of -a marriage, the maintenance of females, and, above all, the dower -which is required, and which remaining at the lady's sole disposal, -is independent of that inheritance to which she and her children are -entitled from the remainder of the husband's property, are insuperable -objections. - -"You speak," said he, addressing himself to me, "as if your pity -were limited to our ladies; if you were more intimately acquainted -with the condition of us husbands, we should have some share of your -sympathy. Jaffier Ali has already explained to you some of the rights -and privileges of our ladies, which are usually supported by a host -of relations, but he has not enumerated one half. We may, it is true, -escape from one wife by marrying another; but if we are not rich, such -a proceeding involves the giving up most of our comforts in life. What -I have said applies to men of moderate means; and as to the great mass -of the population who live by their labour, few can support two wives. -If you have any doubts respecting the equality of condition of their -partners, do but listen now and then near their houses, and you will -hear a shrill and sharp voice rating the supposed lord and master in a -manner which will instantly relieve your mind from any anxiety you may -now feel for the rights of the softer sex in Persia." - -This sally of the good Meer produced the more mirth, from its being -unusual for him to depart from his gravity. But resuming his serious -air, he continued; "Mahomedan women have never real power until they -have offspring. Māder, or the mother, is, from the prince to the -peasant, the chief object of affection and respect. On her not only -domestic concerns, but the making of marriages usually depends. The -care and indulgence she bestows upon her children is often in strong -contrast to the neglect and harshness of the father, which deepens -the impression of gratitude they entertain for her during life. This -sentiment is so general, that nothing causes such complete loss of -character as want of love and duty towards a mother. - -"Have you studied our law," said Meerzā Aga Meer to me, "particularly -that part of it which relates to property and inheritance?" I -confesssed I had not given the subject that attention it merited. "I -thought so," said the Meer, "or you would not have judged so lightly of -the condition of our females." - -"It is," said the Meer, "the possession of property, and the right of -inheriting and using it, which gives respect and consequence to persons -with others as well as themselves. Now you will find, both by the -Koran, which is the fountain of our law, and by the commentaries, which -are streams from that sacred source, that females have equal rights -with males to use property; and their claim to inheritance, though -somewhat smaller, as is the case in other countries, is on a scale that -shows the light in which they are held by our laws and institutions." - -The Meerzā supported his argument by more quotations from the book of -Mahomed, from traditions, and commentaries by learned doctors, than I -shall repeat. The sum of it, however, was to this effect, that a woman -who has property of her own, which includes her dower, has full command -of it during her life. At her death the husband has half if there are -no children, and a fourth if there are. The remainder is divided among -them equally, females having the same share as males. - -When the husband dies, his wife or wives (legally married) inherit one -fourth of his property, if there are no children; if there are, the -wife or wives have only one eighth: but this is always independent of -the dower or settlement made at the period of marriage. - -If a man leave an only daughter or grand-daughter, she has the half of -his estate; if two or more, they have two-thirds. If he leave a son -and daughters, the son has the share of two females, besides becoming, -after the shares are allotted, the heir-general or residuary legatee. - -The daughters born in wedlock have their allotted shares of -inheritance, but in no case can they become heirs to any property -beyond that amount, except to their manumitted slave. On the death of -such a person they have a right to share as a relation, and can inherit -as heirs. "The following text of the Koran is curious," said the Meer, -"and merits to be quoted: 'There is not among women any heiress except -her who kindly freed the enslaved neck.'" - -"All you have said," I observed, "is very well. I understand the -rights of your legitimate wives and daughters; but what becomes of the -numerous progeny of slaves and others of the Harem?" - -"What becomes of your illegitimate children in England?" replied the -Meer, with more asperity than was usual to him; but my attack had -roused him. "If," he continued, "the book which was written by Meerzā -Aboo Tālib, who travelled in your country, is at all true, a great -proportion of your females and their offspring are in a much more -miserable and degraded state than any in our country! But perhaps," -said he, in a milder tone, "Aboo Tālib has exaggerated, which -travellers are in the habit of doing." - -I made no answer, for I thought of the parable of the "mote and the -beam," and turned the conversation from this part of the subject by -asking whether a man or woman could not bequeath their property, "I -am no Moollāh," said Aga Meer, "to give a precise answer to such a -question; but I know this, they can bestow it during life, and I -believe that though, according to the strict interpretation of the -Koran, pious or charitable bequests are alone legal, others are -attended to by the judges when not very injurious or improper. I -conclude this is the case, by my knowledge that wills are frequently -made; but I am," he repeated, "no Moollāh." - -"That you are not a Moollāh, I am very glad," said Jaffier Ali, "for -I never can understand these doctors of our law; they have always so -many reasons to state on both sides of every question, that they quite -confuse me, and I really believe that wise and learned as they are, -they often confuse themselves." "There is nothing, I can assure you, -sir," said Jaffier Ali to me "that these Moollāhs like better than -advocating the cause of our ladies, who, what with their aid, and that -of other supporters, as well as their own spirit, have, I think, more -than an equal share of power and authority." - -"But why," said I, "if they have this power, and such rights of -property, are they cooped up, and never allowed to stir abroad without -veils? with such usages how can they attain that knowledge of the world -which is necessary to enable them to perform their duties?" - -"As to cooping up," said Aga Meer, who here resumed the contest, -"Jaffier Ali has already explained the indulgences they have, in going -abroad, and seeing their friends at home; and with respect to wearing -veils, what you deem a punishment they consider a distinction, and look -down with pity on the women of the Eelyāt tribes and others, who do not -follow this custom. - -"I do not exactly know," said he, "what you mean by a knowledge of the -world; nor do I distinctly understand the benefits you expect them to -derive from such knowledge. "We," he added, smiling, "consider that -loving and obeying their husbands, giving proper attention to their -children, and their domestic duties, are the best occupations for -females." - -"That is," I replied, "your females are either the slaves of your -pleasures, or drudges to perform the work of your house. This is their -lot in the present world, and in the next, though you do not exclude -them from heaven, you only allow, even to the most virtuous, as I said -before, half the joys which are destined for a good man. They are in -fact neither treated nor instructed in a manner that can elevate them -to the rank which God meant them to hold, as the companions and friends -of man; and, in the condition in which your laws and usages place them, -they never can have that respect for themselves, nor receive it from -others, which is essential to form a civilized community." - -"But," said the Meer, "we are not a civilized community, such as you -allude to; some of our ladies, whose husbands or fathers are learned -men, have considerable knowledge, and many of these have received -an excellent education." "This," said I, "is a fact of which I am -aware; my friend Jaffier Ali, who married the daughter of a physician, -informed me how well the mind of his consort had been cultivated by her -wise and pious father, and I have seen a small volume of poems copied -by her, which he means to present to the Elchee; but I consider her, -and some others with similar endowments, as exceptions to the general -rule." - -"Very fortunately," replied Aga Meer, "they are exceptions: if the -majority of our females were so well instructed, they would be far -before their fathers and husbands, and that would never do. Changes -must begin with the men or we shall have all in confusion. - -"With respect to the difference of rewards and punishments between the -male and female sex, it has been considered," said the Meer, "that as -the latter have not the same opportunities of acquiring knowledge, -their responsibility should be less, and it is decreed that they shall -only receive for any crime half the punishment that would be inflicted -upon a man. The same principle, in reference to their good actions, -has led to their being only deemed entitled to half the enjoyment that -a man can attain in the next world. But this is a point," said the -Meer, "that I do not well comprehend. It has puzzled many of our wisest -Moollāhs, and volumes upon volumes of contradictory opinions have been -written by the expounders of the Koran, upon the duties, rewards, and -punishments of women here and hereafter; God alone knows who is right -and who is wrong." - -"I know as little as you or the Moollāhs either," said Jaffier Ali, -"of what will be the lot of our ladies in the next world, but I am -positive they enjoy plenty of power in this. Really, my good friend," -said he, addressing me, "if you could get a peep behind the curtain, -you would find that from the palace of the king to the hut of the -peasant, some personage, either in the shape of a wife or a mother, -secretly or openly rules the whole household, the master not excepted. -Some men, in the hope of preserving their authority, marry a woman of -low connexions, or a slave, who cannot claim a dower. Such wives, being -pennyless and unsupported by relations, will, they expect, continue -mild and submissive, and neither give themselves airs nor leave the -house in a pet. These wary gentlemen, however, are often disappointed; -for if the partners they select are handsome and beloved, they too -become tyrants and tormentors." - -"That may be," said Mahomed Hoosein Khan, who had hitherto listened to -our discussion with much more patience than I had expected, "but in -such a case a man becomes a slave of his own passions, which is far -better than selling himself, as many do, to be the slave of those of -an arrogant woman, who, from superior birth or great wealth, considers -herself as the ruler of him she has condescended to espouse." - -Hajee Hoosein, on hearing this remark, eagerly exclaimed, "How exactly -that was the case with Sādee! 'My termagant of a wife,' (said that wise -man), 'with whom, after my release from the Christians at Tripoli,[101] -I had received a dower of a hundred dinars, one day addressed me in a -reproachful tone, and asked, 'Are not you the contemptible wretch whom -my father ransomed from the slavery of the Franks at the cost of ten -dinars?' 'Yes,' I replied, 'I am the same wretch whom he delivered from -the infidels for ten dinars, and enslaved to you for one hundred!'" - -"Poor Sādee!" said Khan Sāhib, with a half sigh that indicated -fellow-feeling: "but," added he, "there is a possibility of escape from -such a condition. I will tell you a story of an acquaintance of mine, -who had the good fortune to terrify one of these high-born shrews into -good behaviour, but his success, as you will hear, was of no benefit to -his friends. - -"Sādik Beg was of good family, handsome in person, and possessed of -both sense and courage; but he was poor, having no property but his -sword and his horse, with which he served as a gentleman retainer of -a nabob. The latter, satisfied of the purity of Sādik's descent, and -entertaining a respect for his character, determined to make him the -husband of his daughter Hooseinee, who, though beautiful, as her name -implied, was remarkable for her haughty manner and ungovernable temper. - -"Giving a husband of the condition of Sādik Beg to a lady of -Hooseinee's rank was, according to usage in such unequal matches, like -giving her a slave, and as she heard a good report of his personal -qualities, she offered no objections to the marriage, which was -celebrated soon after it was proposed, and apartments were assigned to -the happy couple in the nabob's palace. - -"Some of Sādik Beg's friends rejoiced in his good fortune; as they saw, -in the connexion he had formed, a sure prospect of his advancement. -Others mourned the fate of so fine and promising a young man, now -condemned to bear through life all the humours of a proud and -capricious woman; but one of his friends, a little man called Merdek, -who was completely henpecked, was particularly rejoiced, and quite -chuckled at the thought of seeing another in the same condition with -himself. - -"About a month after the nuptials Merdek met his friend, and with -malicious pleasure wished him joy of his marriage. 'Most sincerely do I -congratulate you, Sādik,' said he, 'on this happy event!' 'Thank you, -my good fellow, I am very happy indeed, and rendered more so by the joy -I perceive it gives my friends.' 'Do you really mean to say you are -happy?' said Merdek, with a smile. 'I really am so,' replied Sādik. -'Nonsense,' said his friend; 'do we not all know to what a termagant -you are united? and her temper and high rank combined must no doubt -make her a sweet companion.' Here he burst into a loud laugh, and the -little man actually strutted with a feeling of superiority over the -bridegroom. - -"Sādik, who knew his situation and feelings, was amused instead of -being angry. 'My friend,' said he, 'I quite understand the grounds of -your apprehension for my happiness. Before I was married I had heard -the same reports as you have done of my beloved bride's disposition; -but I am happy to say I have found it quite otherwise: she is a most -docile and obedient wife.' 'But how has this miraculous change been -wrought?' 'Why,' said Sādik, 'I believe I have some merit in effecting -it, but you shall hear. - -"'After the ceremonies of our nuptials were over, I went in my military -dress, and with my sword by my side, to the apartment of Hooseinee. She -was sitting in a most dignified posture to receive me, and her looks -were anything but inviting. As I entered the room a beautiful cat, -evidently a great favourite, came purring up to me. I deliberately drew -my sword, struck its head off, and taking that in one hand and the body -in the other, threw them out of the window. I then very unconcernedly -turned to the lady, who appeared in some alarm: she, however, made -no observations, but was in every way kind and submissive, and has -continued so ever since.' - -"'Thank you, my dear fellow,' said little Merdek, with a significant -shake of the head--'a word to the wise;' and away he capered, obviously -quite rejoiced. - -"It was near evening when this conversation took place; soon after, -when the dark cloak of night had enveloped the bright radiance of day, -Merdek entered the chamber of his spouse, with something of a martial -swagger, armed with a scimitar. The unsuspecting cat came forward -to welcome the husband of her mistress, but in an instant her head -was divided from her body by a blow from the hand which had so often -caressed her. Merdek having proceeded so far courageously, stooped to -take up the dissevered members of the cat, but before he could effect -this, a blow upon the side of the head from his incensed lady laid him -sprawling on the floor. - -"The tattle and scandal of the day spreads from zenāneh to zenāneh -with surprising rapidity, and the wife of Merdek saw in a moment whose -example it was that he imitated. 'Take that,' said she, as she gave him -another cuff, 'take that, you paltry wretch; you should,' she added, -laughing him to scorn, 'have killed the cat on the wedding day.'" - -We were all highly entertained with Khan Sāhib's story, which closed -the discussion upon the rights, privileges, and usages of Persian -ladies; but though I left the party satisfied that these were -greater than I imagined, I continued unchanged in my opinion that -the civilization of Mahomedan countries must ever be retarded by the -condition assigned to the female sex by their Prophet, who, though he -neither denies that they have souls, nor shuts the gates of Paradise -against them, yet gives them only half the responsibility, half the -punishment, and half the enjoyments assigned here and hereafter to the -lords of the creation. - -Some days after our discussion concerning the rights of Mahomedan -ladies, I had a long conversation with Aga Meer as to divorces. These, -he told me, were very rare in Persia, it being deemed a greater scandal -for a man to put away his wife than for a woman to be divorced. - -The usual ground of such a proceeding is a sudden fit of passion or -jealousy. That is followed by repentance, and the lady is taken back. -"But here," he added, "the law has interposed to prevent the abuse -of this indulgence by capricious husbands. If a man pronounces three -divorces against a free woman, or two against a slave,[102] he can -lawfully wed neither of them again unless they have been espoused by -another, and this second husband dies, or shall divorce them." - -When it happens that a husband wishes to recover his wife whom he had -divorced in a passion, a convenient husband is sought; but the law -forbids a mockery being made of such marriages. They may be short in -duration, but the parties must live during the period they are united -as man and wife. - -The consequence of this law is, that none but those who add to caprice -and passion, doting fondness for the lady, will ever seek a re-union -that is attended with such indelicacy and shame. Nevertheless, this -proceeding sometimes takes place, and no doubt often gives rise to -extraordinary incidents. These become the groundwork of many an amusing -tale, in which the imagination of the narrator has ample range for -exaggeration without exceeding the bounds of possibility. - -In all the stories I ever heard, grounded on divorces, the lady -is always young and beautiful, the husband old, ugly, rich, and -passionate; and the person chosen to be the medium of regaining the -wife is, though apparently in such distress that a few piastres will -tempt him to act the part required, usually a lover in disguise, or one -who becomes, like the Cymon of our great poet, animated by love of the -object with whom he is united, to a degree that transforms the supposed -clod into a perfect hero of romance, who rather than give up the fair -lady, who prefers him, to her old mate, suffers every hardship, and -braves every danger in pursuance of her plans and intrigues to prevent -their separation. The framing of the plot is invariably given to the -female, and it is often such as to do honour to the genius of the sex. - - -In the Arabian Tales on this subject Hāroon-oor-Rasheed, and his vizier -Bermekee, are employed to aid the lovers in their night wanderings -in Bagdad. In Persia Shāh Abbas the Great, and his minister, act the -part of the caliph and his vizier, and both parties are described as -promoting by their advice, generosity, and power, the happiness of the -new married couple, and bringing to shame the old hunks of a husband -and the corrupt ministers of justice, whom his wealth had bribed to -lend their endeavours to compel the lovers by all kinds of threats and -punishments to consent to a separation. - -The stories on this subject are of infinite variety, nor will a well -practised story-teller give any tale twice in the same words, or with -the same incidents. - -Moollāh Adeenah, the story-teller to his majesty, of whom I shall have -occasion to speak hereafter, told me, that he considered it as much as -his head was worth to tell a tale twice without variations to the king -of kings. - -"Besides my own invention," said he, "I have a great book, containing -anecdotes on all subjects, and an infinite quantity of amusing matter, -which I select at pleasure, and adapt my story to the circumstances of -the moment, and to the characters of those who form my audience." - -There are no tales in Persia that undergo more changes than those which -relate to divorces. The different sects of Mahomedans hold different -doctrines on this head, and the story-teller must not offend any of his -auditors. Besides, there is often a fear of personal allusions, which -compels him to remove his characters from one country to another, to -keep them out of harm's way; as my Uncle Toby advised Trim to do with -his giants, in that best of all good stories, "The King of Bohemia and -his seven Castles." - -I have heard a celebrated story of a merchant called Hajee Sālah -Kej-Khoolk, the cross-grained, told in four or five different ways, and -particularly that incident in his life relating to his having, in one -of those bursts of passion to which he was liable, divorced, for the -third time, a beautiful young female of high rank, whose parents this -old, ugly, ill-humoured, wealthy man, had bribed, by settling a large -dowry upon her. - -According to the edition of this tale, which will serve as a specimen -of those grounded on divorces, the old Hajee was at the town of -Nishāpoor in Khorassan, when in a violent fit of rage he pronounced the -last divorce upon the lady, whose name was Maidee. - -She immediately left his house and went to her parents. They, though -moved at first by the tears with which she implored them to assist -her in resisting all proposals for a re-union with a husband whom she -abhorred, soon gave way to the worldly motives which induced them to -desire her return to a person who was continually making them presents, -and who was now more generous than ever, in the hope of inducing them -to promote his interests with one of whom, notwithstanding his conduct, -he was distractedly fond. - -Maidee seeing no other opportunity of escape from the continued -importunities to which she was exposed, listened to the proposals made -through the old nurse, of a youth of the name of Omar, who, though -poor, was of a respectable family, and whose sister was one of the -wives of the governor of the town. This sister had seen Maidee at the -public bath, and it was the account which she gave of her surprising -beauty and great dower that determined Omar to try every means to make -her his wife. - -The good nurse, who was attached to the family of Omar, painted his -personal appearance and qualities to Maidee in such colours, that she -was quite willing to allow him to be the instrument of her deliverance. -The plot was soon settled; Maidee, with affected reluctance, consented -to the proposals of Hajee Sālah for a re-union, provided the person -chosen to be her husband for twenty-four hours was of respectable -family and good appearance. These conditions she insisted upon as -indispensable to her reputation. Besides she now also pretended that -absence had revived her regard for the old Hajee, and she desired the -merit of showing (by the sacrifice of a husband whom many might prefer -to him) that her attachment was sincere. - -The old merchant, in raptures at the prospect of repossessing his -favourite, agreed to all she proposed. An agent was immediately -appointed to look out for a person of the description she desired, -but whose circumstances were such as to make him consent to act the -discreditable part of a convenient husband. - -Omar threw himself in the way of this agent, and contrived to utter in -his hearing boastings of his family, complaints of his relatives, and -of the consequent poverty and despair to which he was reduced. "If I -had been a dishonourable fellow," said he (speaking to a companion, but -loud enough for the agent to hear), "and one that could have consented -to break my pledged word, I might have made my fortune; but, thank -God, I am not such a man: I would embrace ruin, and encounter death a -thousand times before I would depart from or violate any promise I had -made. I have made up my mind to leave Nishāpoor; why should I remain? -I know not that I shall have a morsel to eat to-morrow." So saying -he abruptly quitted his friend, and walked down the street. He was -followed by the agent, who saw, in the respectability of his family, -his poverty, and above all his determined adherence to his word, the -very person of whom he was in search. - -Omar stopped under some trees at the skirts of the town, where the -agent came up to him. "A fine evening," said the latter. "I am -indifferent as to the state of the weather," replied the apparently -agitated Omar. "You seem to have some distress of mind?" "That cannot -concern you," said the youth. "You know not," said the wily agent; -"aid often comes through means the least expected: if you confide your -griefs to me, humble as I appear, I may be able to administer relief." -This and some more soothing speeches led Omar with apparent reluctance -to open his heart and relate his story. - -He was, he told the agent, the youngest son of a Tūrkūmān chief, well -known in the plains of Kipchāk. He had lately offended his father, by -refusing to reveal the place of concealment of a man to whom he had -promised protection, and was therefore banished from his presence. He -had made an offer of his services at Nishāpoor; but after these were -accepted, he had been compelled to abandon this prospect, and to part -with his horse, his sword, and all he possessed in the world, rather -than violate a pledge he had given to an unfortunate friend, whose -debts he had just paid by expending the last dinar he had in the world. -"But," he added, "to-morrow's sun will not find me in Nishāpoor; I -shall trust my stars to guide me to some land where I may be more -fortunate." - -The agent praised his high sense of honour; and, after much -circumlocution, proposed to present him with a hundred tomans, -provided he would consent to marry the beautiful Maidee one day, -divorce her the next, and instantly quit the country never to return. - -Omar pretended at first to be highly indignant at a proposal which -he thought derogatory to his honour: but his scruples were gradually -removed, and he at length took the money and pledged that word and -honour, which had hitherto been his ruin, that he would do everything -which was required. - -No time was lost in preparing the contract of marriage; the nuptials -were celebrated with all due ceremony, and the new-married couple -remained alone in a house in a retired part of the town, which had been -prepared for them. When Maidee was unveiled, her beauty far exceeded -all that the imagination of Omar had dared to depict her. He was in -raptures, and she was equally enchanted with him. They mutually vowed -that whatever was the success of their plan, no power should ever -separate them. - -The dawn of the following morning found Hajee Sālah at the door, -anxious to abridge the happiness of the lovers as much as the law -would permit. He had knocked several times and called to the inmates -without receiving any answer, when he was nearly stunned by a blow on -the head, and turning round, saw a savage looking Tūrkūmān mounted on -a large horse, armed with a long spear, with the shaft of which he had -inflicted the blow. "Hold my horse," said the fellow as he dismounted, -"while I go into the house." "You have two hands, you old rascal," -said another savage, giving him a second blow, and making him hold the -horse on which he rode. Before the poor Hajee could recover from his -surprise, a party of twenty Tūrkūmāns, with their chief, were around -him. He showed an intention of escaping, but that only produced an -order for his being put to death if he attempted to move from the spot. - -"Where is the darling boy?" exclaimed the chief; "I have forgiven him -all: I long to clasp him in my arms!" "Renowned Kādir Beg," said one -of his followers, who had just come out of the house, "you have more -to forgive than you are aware of; your son is married." "Married!" -exclaimed the old chief. "Is the blood of the first race on the plains -of Kipchāk contaminated? Has he married the daughter of a citizen of -Nishāpoor?" "No," said the man, "she belongs to a family of rank; she -is beautiful as the full moon, and has besides a rich dower; having -been divorced, in a fit of passion, by an ill-tempered wealthy old -merchant, who was wholly unworthy of her, but who threatens to take -this inestimable pearl from your highness's son Omar Beg." - -"Where is the old villain," said the chief, "that dares to claim any -one whom I protect?" and he struck his spear on the ground in a rage -that made Hajee Sālah tremble for his life; "but let me see and embrace -my long lost boy." He went into the house, but soon returning, directed -two of his finest led horses to be brought to the door, on one of which -Omar was mounted, and on the other his bride; and away they rode at -full speed. - -Three men were left behind; two remained in the house; and the third -guarded Hajee Sālah, who stood trembling and holding the two horses, -inwardly cursing himself and his agent for selecting a wild Tūrkūmān as -a convenient bridegroom to a beautiful Persian lady. - -After a delay of some hours the Tūrkūmāns followed their companions. -The house at which this scene occurred had been so cautiously selected -by Hajee Sālah to avoid observation, that nobody observed what was -passing. The moment he was relieved he ran to the palace of the -governor, calling aloud for justice. The governor had gone a hunting, -and was not expected till night. When he returned he was so fatigued -that he could not be seen till next day. Then so many proofs were -required, and so many delays took place, that the Hajee began to -suspect the ruler of the city was in league with the Tūrkūmān chief. -But when he afterwards learnt that the whole was a contrivance, that -Omar's sister was the wife of the governor, and that the parents -of Maidee had been reconciled to the marriage, all hope of redress -vanished, and he immediately left Nishāpoor, amid the laughter of high -and low, for all seemed equally delighted at what had happened to -Hajee Sālah, the cross-grained. His name has ever since been recorded -in story, as an example of the fate which awaits age and ill temper -when they aspire to possess youth and beauty, without knowing how to -appreciate and guard such blessings, when they have obtained them. - -FOOTNOTES: - -[99] Fatima-ool-Masoomah. - -[100] This phrase is applied to those slaves acquired in wars with -infidels. - -[101] Tripoli in Syria: the Christians must have been some of the -Crusaders. - -[102] The same principle which subjects slaves to only half punishment -for crimes, renders them liable to less suffering from the caprice of -the man who marries them. The husband should, strictly speaking, only -have the power to pronounce one divorce and a half on a slave: but the -fraction puzzled the doctors of the law, and they have agreed it should -be two divorces. - - - - -CHAPTER XVI. - - Departure from Koom--Pool-e-Dellāk--Deryā-e-Kebeer--Valley of the - Shadow of Death--Story of a Ghool--Remarks on Persian Poetry. - - -From the city of Koom we proceeded to Sooltāneah, where the king was -encamped; but I cannot allow my reader to arrive at that place before -he has accompanied me to Teheran with the first mission, and heard the -account of its reception, and a description of Fettih Ali Shāh and his -court, before these became familiar with envoys and travellers from -Calcutta, London, Paris, and St. Petersburgh. - -Our first stage towards Teheran was to a place called Pool-e-Dellāk, or -the Barber's Bridge; which, according to the tale of those who lived at -the village in the vicinity, was built by the barber of Shāh Abbas the -Great, to save others from a danger which he himself narrowly escaped, -of being drowned when crossing this river. - -This munificent barber, we were informed, was very wealthy, as many -of his profession are in Persia. Their skill in shaving the heads and -trimming the beards of kings and nobles, though highly prized, is -subordinate to that which they display as attendants at the warm bath. -It is on their superior address in rubbing, pinching, joint-cracking, -and cleansing the human frame at the hummums that their fame is -established. The luxury of the bath in Persia is enjoyed by all, from -the highest to the lowest. These baths are always good, and often -splendid buildings. They are sought by the lower classes as essential -to health in persons who seldom wear, and when they do, seldomer -change their under garments. The higher ranks indulge in them to still -greater excess, and in their progress through the various apartments -of graduated heat, from the outer saloon to the houz or fountain of -the inner bath, they are waited upon by different domestics, who, -besides aiding to undress and dress them, serve them with every species -of refreshment. Among these attendants the man of most consequence is -the dellāk or barber. For he who has the honour to bathe and shave a -king must not only be perfect in his art, but also a man altogether -trustworthy; and confidence amongst eastern rulers is usually followed -by favour, and with favour comes fortune. This accounts for barbers -building bridges in Persia! - -I was one day speaking to my friend Meerzā Aga of the munificence of -the barber of the great Abbas, in a manner which implied doubt of the -fact. He observed he knew not whether the barbers of the Seffavean -monarchs built bridges, but "I do know," he said, "that the Khāsterāsh -(literally personal shaver) of our present sovereign has, in the -abundance of his wealth, built a palace for himself close to the royal -bath at Teheran. Then," said the good Meerzā, "he is entitled to -riches, for he is a man of pre-eminent excellence in his art, and has -had for a long period under his special care the magnificent beard of -his majesty, which is at this moment, and has been for years, the pride -of Persia." - -"Well," I replied, "if your personal shaver has built such a mansion, I -will no longer doubt the wealth of the barber of Shāh Abbas, for that -monarch, though he wore no beard, had, we are told by travellers, and -observe from paintings, a noble pair of mustachoes, of which he is said -to have been very proud; and the trimmer of which no doubt was, as he -deserved to be, a great favourite." - -This conversation led to a long dissertation on mustachoes and beards, -upon which subject my travels to countries that my Persian friends had -never seen enabled me to give them much useful information. - -I told them many stories about the Sikhs, a nation dwelling between -the territories of Cabool and India, who, devoting their beards and -whiskers to the goddess of destruction, are always prompt to destroy -any one who meddles with them; and who, from a combined feeling of -religion and honour, look upon the preservation of life itself as -slight in comparison with the preservation of a hair of their beards. - -I next informed them how beards, whiskers, and mustachoes were -once honoured in Europe. I told them an anecdote of the great John -De Castro, a former governor of Goa, the capital of the Portuguese -possessions in India. He being in want of a considerable loan from -the citizens of Goa for a military expedition, was at a loss for an -adequate security[103]. His first intention was to pledge the bones -of his gallant son Don Fernando, who had recently fallen in battle; -but finding, on opening the grave, that the carcass was putrid, he -offered, as next dear to his personal honour, a lock of his cherished -mustachoes. This security was accepted, but immediately returned with -more than the amount required; young and old vying with each other who -should show most respect to so valuable a pledge. - -The Persians of my audience twisted their mustachoes with a combined -feeling of pleasure and pride on hearing this testimony to the value -of that ornament of the visage; and Khan Sāhib, who was one of the -party, said to me with a smile, "You gentlemen with the mission wear -mustachoes in compliance with the prejudices of the Persians; but is -it true that many officers of your cavalry now wear them, and that -they are again likely to become popular in England?" I said, perhaps -they might; adding, I had no doubt that would be the case, if there -appeared the slightest chance of their ever turning to account in the -money-market, like those of John de Castro. - -But I must quit this curious and interesting subject to proceed with -my narration. At Pool-e-Dellāk the Elchee received letters from the -prime minister Hajee Ibrahim, congratulating him upon his near approach -to the capital. "My house," the Hajee wrote, "is assigned for your -residence; and I am to be honoured by having you as my guest as long as -you remain at the abode of sovereignty." - -The minister also addressed letters to the mehmandar and to the -secretaries of the Elchee, to inquire the exact time of his intended -entry into Teheran, and to learn the hours at which he took his meals, -the dishes of which he was fondest, and every other minute particular -that could enable him to perform the task he had undertaken to his own -satisfaction and that of the king, whom he represented as very anxious -that every thing should be done to honour and please the British -representatives. - -From the Barber's Bridge to our next stage was nearly fifty miles. We -crossed a salt desert,[104] which Hajee Hoosein informed me, as he -handed me the long snake of the kelliān, was once a sea; but at the -birth of Mahomed it dried up, and thus became one of the many miracles -to testify the importance to the world of that auspicious event. - -The change of surface, from a crust of white clay impregnated with -salt, to a stony plain, indicated that we had passed the desert. We -immediately afterwards came to a rugged and broken road, through the -most frightful precipices and ravines I had ever seen. "I wish these -ravines had been made smooth at your prophet's birth," I said to my -friend the Hajee, who continued riding along with me. "Here also," -said he, in a half alarmed voice, "a miracle was effected, but it was -not completed. This dreadful place is called the 'Valley of the Angel -of Death.'[105] That terrific minister of God's wrath, according to -tradition, has resting-places upon the earth, and this is one of his -favourite abodes. He is surrounded by ghools, horrid beings, who, when -he takes away life, feast upon the carcasses. - -"The natural shape of these monsters," said Hajee Hoosein, "is -terrible; but they can assume those of animals, such as cows or camels, -or whatever they choose, often appearing to men as their relations or -friends, and then they do not only transform their shapes, but their -voices also are altered. The frightful screams and yells, which are -often heard amid these dreaded ravines, are changed for the softest and -most melodious notes; unwary travellers, deluded by the appearance of -friends, or captivated by the forms, and charmed by the music, of these -demons, are allured from their path, and after feasting for a few hours -on every luxury, are consigned to destruction. - -"The number of these ghools," said the Hajee, "has greatly decreased -since the birth of the prophet, and they have no power to hurt those -who pronounce his name in sincerity of faith. But, what is that?" said -he, spurring his horse, and upsetting the top of the kullean which he -had in his hand, while he repeated aloud the name of Mahomet, which -now resounded through the line. I was myself not a little startled at -seeing a camel, which is one of the shapes the ghools take, but found, -on recovering from my momentary alarm, that it was one of our own, -which, trying to pass a little to the right of our path, had fallen -over a precipice with its load. - -When the Hajee rejoined me, he was far from being convinced that the -camel which had fallen was the same he had at first seen. "It was -probable," he said, "that a ghool, by the shape he assumed, had enticed -our animal to follow him, and the latter would certainly have been lost -but for my presence of mind and timely exclamations. These creatures," -he added, "are the very lowest of the supernatural world, and, besides -being timid, are extremely stupid, and consequently often imposed upon -by artful men. I will recount you," he said, "a story that is well -authenticated, to prove that what I say is just." I told him I was all -attention, and he commenced his tale. - -"You know," said he, "that the natives of Isfahan, though not brave, -are the most crafty and acute people upon earth, and often supply the -want of courage by their address. An inhabitant of that city was once -compelled to travel alone at night through this dreadful valley. He -was a man of ready wit, and fond of adventures, and, though no lion, -had great confidence in his cunning, which had brought him through a -hundred scrapes and perils that would have embarrassed or destroyed -your simple man of valour. - -"This man, whose name was Ameen Beg, had heard many stories of the -ghools of the 'Valley of the Angel of Death,' and thought it likely he -might meet one. He prepared accordingly, by putting an egg and a lump -of salt in his pocket. He had not gone far amidst the rocks we have -just passed, when he heard a voice crying 'Holloa, Ameen Beg Isfahānee! -you are going the wrong road, you will lose yourself; come this way; -I am your friend Kerreem Beg; I know your father, old Kerbela Beg, -and the street in which you were born.' Ameen knew well the power the -ghools had of assuming the shape of any person they choose; and he -also knew their skill as genealogists, and their knowledge of towns as -well as families; he had therefore little doubt this was one of those -creatures alluring him to destruction. He, however, determined to -encounter him, and trust to his art for his escape. - -"'Stop, my friend, till I come near you,' was his reply. When Ameen -came close to the Ghool, he said, 'You are not my friend Kerreem, you -are a lying demon, but you are just the being I desired to meet. I have -tried my strength against all the men and all the beasts which exist -in the natural world, and I can find nothing that is a match for me. I -came therefore to this valley in the hope of encountering a ghool, that -I might prove my prowess upon him.' - -"The Ghool, astonished at being addressed in this manner, looked -keenly at him, and said, 'Son of Adam, you do not appear so strong.' -'Appearances are deceitful,' replied Ameen, 'but I will give you a -proof of my strength. There,' said he, picking up a stone from a -rivulet, 'this contains a fluid; try if you can so squeeze it, that it -will flow out.' The Ghool took the stone, but after a short attempt -returned it, saying 'the thing is impossible.' 'Quite easy,' said the -Isfahānee, taking the stone and placing it in the hand in which he had -before put the egg: 'Look there!' and the astonished Ghool, while he -heard what he took for the breaking of the stone, saw the liquid run -from between Ameen's fingers, and this apparently without any effort. - -"Ameen, aided by the darkness, placed the stone upon the ground -while he picked up another of a darker hue. 'This,' said he, 'I can -see contains salt, as you will find if you can crumble it between -your fingers;' but the Ghool looking at it confessed he had neither -knowledge to discover its qualities, nor strength to break it. 'Give it -me,' said his companion impatiently, and having put it into the same -hand with the piece of salt, he instantly gave the latter all crushed -to the Ghool, who seeing it reduced to powder, tasted it, and remained -in stupid astonishment at the skill and strength of this wonderful -man. Neither was he without alarm lest his strength should be exerted -against himself, and he saw no safety in resorting to the shape of a -beast, for Ameen had warned him, that if he commenced any such unfair -dealing, he would instantly slay him; for ghools, though long-lived, -are not immortal. - -"Under such circumstances he thought his best plan was to conciliate -the friendship of his new companion, till he found an opportunity of -destroying him. - -"'Most wonderful man,' he said, 'will you honour my abode with your -presence; it is quite at hand: there you will find every refreshment; -and after a comfortable night's rest you can resume your journey.' - -"'I have no objection, friend Ghool, to accept your offer; but mark me, -I am, in the first place, very passionate, and must not be provoked -by any expressions which are in the least disrespectful; and in the -second, I am full of penetration, and can see through your designs as -clearly as I saw into that hard stone in which I discovered salt; so -take care you entertain none that are wicked, or you shall suffer.' - -"The Ghool declared that the ear of his guest should be pained by no -expression to which it did not befit his dignity to listen; and he -swore by the head of his liege lord, the Angel of Death, that he would -faithfully respect the rights of hospitality and friendship. - -"Thus satisfied, Ameen followed the Ghool through a number of crooked -paths, rugged cliffs, and deep ravines, till they came to a large -cave, which was dimly lighted. 'Here,' said the Ghool, 'I dwell, and -here my friend will find all he can want for refreshment and repose.' -So saying, he led him to various apartments, in which were hoarded -every species of grain, and all kinds of merchandise, plundered from -travellers who had been deluded to this den, and of whose fate Ameen -was too well informed by the bones over which he now and then stumbled, -and by the putrid smell produced by some half consumed carcasses. - -"'This will be sufficient for your supper, I hope,' said the Ghool, -taking up a large bag of rice; 'a man of your prowess must have a -tolerable appetite.' 'True,' said Ameen, 'but I eat a sheep and as -much rice as you have there before I proceeded on my journey. I am, -consequently, not hungry, but will take a little lest I offend your -hospitality.' 'I must boil it for you,' said the demon; 'you do not -eat grain and meat raw, as we do. Here is a kettle,' said he, taking up -one lying amongst the plundered property. 'I will go and get wood for a -fire, while you fetch water with that,' pointing to a bag made of the -hides of six oxen. - -"Ameen waited till he saw his host leave the cave for the wood, and -then with great difficulty he dragged the enormous bag to the bank of a -dark stream which issued from the rocks at the other end of the cavern, -and after being visible for a few yards disappeared under ground. - -"How shall I, thought Ameen, prevent my weakness being discovered; this -bag I could hardly manage when empty, when full it would require twenty -strong men to carry it; what shall I do? I shall certainly be eaten up -by this cannibal Ghool, who is now only kept in order by the impression -of my great strength. After some minutes' reflection, the Isfahānee -thought of a scheme, and began digging a small channel from the stream, -towards the place where his supper was preparing. - -"'What are you doing?' vociferated the Ghool, as he advanced towards -him; 'I sent you for water to boil a little rice and you have been an -hour about it. Cannot you fill the bag and bring it away?' 'Certainly -I can,' said Ameen. 'If I were content, after all your kindness, to -show my gratitude merely by feats of brute strength, I could lift your -stream if you had a bag large enough to hold it; but here,' said he, -pointing to the channel he had begun, 'here is the commencement of a -work in which the mind of a man is employed to lessen the labour of his -body. This canal, small as it may appear, will carry a stream to the -other end of the cave, in which I will construct a dam that you can -open and shut at pleasure, and thereby save yourself infinite trouble -in fetching water. But pray let me alone till it is finished,' and he -began to dig. 'Nonsense,' said the Ghool, seizing the bag and filling -it; 'I will carry the water myself, and I advise you to leave off your -canal, as you call it, and follow me, that you may eat your supper and -go to sleep; you may finish this fine work if you like it to-morrow -morning.' - -"Ameen congratulated himself on this escape, and was not slow in taking -the advice of his host. After having eat heartily of the supper that -was prepared, he went to repose on a bed made of the richest coverlets -and pillows, which were taken from one of the store-rooms of plundered -goods. The Ghool, whose bed was also in the cave, had no sooner laid -down than he fell into a sound sleep. The anxiety of Ameen's mind -prevented him from following his example: he rose gently, and having -stuffed a long pillow into the middle of this bed, to make it appear as -if he were still there, he retired to a concealed place in the cavern -to watch the proceedings of the Ghool. The latter awoke a short time -before daylight, and rising, went, without making any noise, towards -Ameen's bed, where not observing the least stir, he was satisfied that -his guest was in a deep sleep, so he took up one of his walking sticks, -which was in size like the trunk of a tree, and struck a terrible blow -at what he supposed to be Ameen's head. He smiled not to hear a groan, -thinking he had deprived him of life; but to make sure of his work, -he repeated the blow seven times. He then returned to rest, but had -hardly settled himself to sleep, when Ameen, who had crept into the -bed, raised his head above the clothes and exclaimed, 'Friend Ghool, -what insect could it be that has disturbed me by its tapping? I counted -the flap of its little wings seven times on the coverlet. These vermin -are very annoying, for though they cannot hurt a man, they disturb his -rest!' - -"The Ghool's dismay on hearing Ameen speak at all was great, but that -was increased to perfect fright when he heard him describe seven blows, -any one of which would have felled an elephant, as seven flaps of an -insect's wing. There was no safety, he thought, near so wonderful a -man, and he soon afterwards arose and fled from the cave, leaving the -Isfahānee its sole master. - -"When Ameen found his host gone, he was at no loss to conjecture the -cause, and immediately began to survey the treasures with which he was -surrounded, and to contrive means for removing them to his home. - -"After examining the contents of the cave, and arming himself with a -matchlock, which had belonged to some victim of the Ghool, he proceeded -to survey the road. He had, however only gone a short distance when he -saw the Ghool returning with a large club in his hand, and accompanied -by a fox. Ameen's knowledge of the cunning animal instantly led him to -suspect that it had undeceived his enemy, but his presence of mind did -not forsake him. 'Take that,' said he to the fox, aiming a ball at him -from his matchlock, and shooting him through the head; 'take that for -your not performing my orders. That brute,' said he, 'promised to bring -me seven ghools, that I might chain them, and carry them to Isfahan, -and here he has only brought you, who are already my slave.' So saying, -he advanced towards the Ghool; but the latter had already taken to -flight, and by the aid of his club bounded so rapidly over rocks and -precipices, that he was soon out of sight. - -"Ameen having well marked the path from the cavern to the road, went -to the nearest town and hired camels and mules to remove the property -he had acquired. After making restitution to all who remained alive to -prove their goods, he became, from what was unclaimed, a man of wealth, -all of which was owing to that wit and art which ever overcome brute -strength and courage." - -I was pleased with this tale, first as it bore so near a resemblance to -some parts of my earliest favourite, Jack the Giant Killer; and next as -the last incident of the fox bringing back the Ghool was an exact copy -of the story of the Goat and the Lion in the celebrated Hindu work, the -Pancha Tantra. - -The goat, according to the Hindu tale, took shelter during a storm -in the den of a lion; when he saw no chance of escape, he terrified -the king of the beasts by boasting of a celestial origin, and telling -him he had been condemned before he could return to Heaven to eat ten -elephants, ten tigers, and ten lions. He had, he said, eaten every -kind of animal but the lion; and saying this, he marched up to the -astonished monster, who fled by a back way from his den. The lion in -his flight met a fox, and described to him the appearance of the goat -(an animal he had never seen before), his horns, his strange beard, and -above all, his boasting language. The fox laughed, and told his majesty -how he had been tricked. They went back together, and met the goat at -the entrance of the den. The latter at once saw his danger, but his -wits did not forsake him. "What conduct is this, you scoundrel?" said -he to the fox: "I commanded you to get ten lions, and here you have -only brought me one;" so saying, he advanced boldly, and the lion, -again frightened by his words and actions, fled in terror, allowing the -goat to return quietly to his home. - -I narrated this story to my Persian friend, saying, "This proves to -me what I have long conjectured, that the greater part of your tales -are taken literally from the Hindus." "Is it not as likely they have -been stolen from us?" was his reply. "No," said I; "for their works in -which these tales are written are much older than any you have." "That -may be," said he, "but they are not older than Keiomerth, Housheng, or -Jemsheed. These were the glorious days of Persia, and no doubt it was -in their time the wily Hindus stole our stories; and if our conquering -swords have since made us masters of India, and we have plundered a few -tales along with other articles, why we have only recovered our own." - -Khan Sāhib, who had been riding along with us, smoking his kelliān, -but who had not as yet spoken a word, now, with much gravity, took up -the conversation. "I have listened," said he, "with great attention to -Hajee Hoosein's most wonderful tale of the Ghool, and," addressing me, -"to your supplement about a goat, a fox, and a lion. I shall store what -I have heard in my memory for the benefit of my excellent grandmother, -whom it is my duty to amuse. These tales shall also be given word for -word to my little children, who will no doubt be as much delighted as I -have been, to hear how a stupid monster was outwitted by a lying rogue, -and how an impudent goat frightened a valiant lion." - -"The dispute," said Khan Sāhib, "regarding the invention of such -sublime productions, no doubt involves matter deeply associated with -the fame of the renowned empires of India and Persia; and, in the -present dearth of that article, I do think they are right in claiming -all they can for their ancestors." - -"I quite understand, my good friend," said I, "the contempt you -bestow upon the nursery tales with which the Hajee and I have been -entertaining each other; but, believe me, he who desires to be well -acquainted with a people will not reject their popular stories or local -superstitions. Depend upon it, that man is too far advanced into an -artificial state of society who is a stranger to the effects which -tales and stories like these have upon the feelings of a nation; and -his opinions of its character are never likely to be more erroneous -than when, in the pride of reason, he despises such means of forming -his judgment." - -"Well, well," said Khan Sāhib, "there may be some truth in what you -say; and I am the more inclined to believe it, as all the learning and -philosophy which my good father endeavoured to instil into me never -wholly eradicated my early predilection for such stories. I wish not to -dispute the claim of our Indian neighbours to the merit of inventing -those maxims of wisdom, which have been delivered to posterity through -the mouths of cats, monkeys, goats, parrots, foxes, jackalls, and -lions. But," added he, "as far as the reputation of the creative genius -of Persia is concerned, I shall remain content with the wonders of the -Shāh-nāmeh, told as they are in the language of the immortal Firdousee." - -Though I could not give up my fondness for fables, I was quite ready to -concur with my friend in his admiration of Firdousee, and nothing more -was necessary to make him dilate upon this favourite work. His memory -is extraordinary; and while I listened with pleasure to his recitation -of several of the most ancient, and at the same time most beautiful -passages of Persian poetry, I was instructed by his critical remarks, -for he combines, with a knowledge of the European taste for simplicity, -a love for Asiatic splendour of diction; and is particularly versed in -those allusions in which their poetry abounds. He recited to me, from -the Shāh-nāmeh, the greater part of the episode of the combats between -Roostem and his unknown son Soohrāb. - -This episode, in the first lines of which the poet tells his reader, -"It is a tale full of the waters of the eye,"[106] is perhaps one of -the greatest efforts of Firdousee's genius; and he rises even above -himself in the relation of the death of Soohrāb and the insanity of his -distracted mother. - -The effect produced on the unhappy princess by the account of her son's -death is instantaneous. She sets fire to her palace, desiring, when he -who constituted her sole object in life was gone, to perish amid that -splendour, which she salued on his account alone. Torn from the flames -by her attendants, she commanded them to bring the body of her son, his -horse, his arms, and his clothes. - -"She kissed the horse's forehead, she bathed its hoofs with her tears; -she clothed herself in the blood-stained garments of her son, she drew -his bow, she wielded his lance, his sword, and his mace; and these fond -and frantic actions were continued till nature was overpowered, and the -distracted mother departed to join her beloved Soohrāb." - -No translation in verse can convey to the mere English reader any -just impression of the whole poem of the Shāh-nāmeh. The idiom in -which it is written, and the allusions and metaphors with which it -abounds, are too foreign to our language and taste to admit of success -in such an undertaking; but a prose translation of this great work -is a desideratum, and select passages might bear a poetical form. -He, however, who attempts such a task, will not be successful unless -possessed of a genius that raises him above the mechanical effort of a -versifier. If ever such a translator devote himself to the beauties of -this poem, he will find much to gratify himself and others. - -I have before given a specimen of Firdousee's power in describing -a battle; but though this is a species of composition in which the -Persians consider him to excel, I have been more pleased with him when -he strikes a softer and more harmonious note. His tales of love are -often delightful, and nothing can exceed some of his descriptions of -scenery. - -I had long entertained this opinion, but was confirmed in it by a -passage which Khan Sāhib recited to me, after concluding the story of -Soohrāb. It was an account of the events which took place when Siyāvesh -was nominated by Afrāsiāb to govern the empire of Cheen. The young -prince, anxious to enjoy with his beautiful bride Feeringheesh every -luxury which this world could afford, sent persons in every direction -over his extensive territories, to select the most agreeable and -salubrious spot, that he might there fix his residence. The choice fell -upon the city of Kung, which is represented to be a perfect terrestrial -paradise. One line in the description of this favoured spot struck -me as an instance of the power of a poet to seize the finest shades -of distinction that belong to language, and to convey by such terms -the most correct idea to the mind. Speaking of the climate of Kung, -Firdousee says, - - "Its warmth was not heat, and its coolness was not cold."[107] - -I expressed to Khan Sāhib my admiration of this line, adding my regret -that a poet who could write with such simplicity and beauty should -indulge so often in forced metaphor, and hyperbolical phrases. - -"Why," said my little friend, "I really think your quarrelling with -Firdousee, because he wrote according to the taste of the nation to -which he belonged, is something like finding fault with the Persians -because they do not wear cocked hats and tight pantaloons, instead of -lamb's-wool caps and loose trowsers. They delight, and ever have done, -in those conceits and images which offend you." "But yet," said I, -"Sādee is a great favourite, and he is almost always simple and clear -in his style." - -"Sādee," said Khan Sāhib, "has, as you state, a great reputation in -Persia, but it is rather as a wise man and a moralist, than a poet. -He seeks by fiction to adorn, not encumber truth; and the admiration -of his reader is invariably given to the sentiment more than to the -language in which it is clothed. - -"As a proof," continued my friend, "that this is just, let us take two -stanzas. In the first of these Sādee thus describes himself: - - 'The snows of age rest upon my head, - Yet my disposition still makes me young.'[108] - -In these lines, marked as they are by simplicity and beauty, the -thought, not the expression, is what we most admire. In the second, -when addressing sovereigns, he says, - - 'Be merciful, and learn to conquer without an army - Seize upon the hearts of mankind, and be acknowledged - the world's conqueror.'[109] - -The boldness and sublimity of the lesson conveyed in this couplet -predominates over the poetry, and this is the case throughout the works -of Sādee. How different are the sweet and musical strains of Hāfiz! -whose whole fame rests upon the creative fancy of his imagination, -and the easy flow of his numbers. He delights us by the very scorn -with which he rejects all sobriety of thought, and all continuity of -subject. As a poet he is one of the first favourites of his countrymen, -whose enthusiastic admiration is given to passages in his works that -your taste would condemn; for instance, when referring to the fiction -which relates that the tulip first sprung up in the soil which was -moistened with the blood of Ferhād, the celebrated lover of Sheereen, -he says, - - 'Perhaps the tulip feared the evils of destiny, - Thence, while it lives, it bears the wine-goblet on its stalk.'[110] - -"No conceit can be more fanciful, and you will perhaps add, more -extravagant; but this stanza is most particularly admired by the -Persians, much more so than a succeeding one in the same ode, where the -poet, with a simplicity and feeling that will delight you, gives the -reason for not having left his native place. - - 'They will not allow me to proceed upon my travels, - Those gentle gales of Mosellįy, - That limpid stream of Rooknābād.'[111] - -"Hāfiz," said Khan Sāhib, "has the singular good fortune of being alike -praised by saints and sinners. His odes are sung by the young and the -joyous, who, by taking them in the literal sense, find nothing but an -excitement to pass the spring of life in the enjoyment of the world's -luxuries; while the contemplative sage, considering this poet as a -religious enthusiast, attaches a mystical meaning to every line, and -repeats his odes as he would an orison. At the time of his death," -continued my friend, "there were many who deemed his works sinful and -impious. These went so far as to arrest the procession of his funeral. -The dispute rose high, and the parties were likely to come to blows, -when it was agreed that a fāl, or lot, should be taken from his book. -If that were favourable to religion, his friends were to proceed; but -if calculated to promote vice, they promised not to carry his body to -the sacred ground appropriated for its reception. - -"The volume of odes was produced, and it was opened by a person -whose eyes were bound, seven pages were counted back, when the -heaven-directed finger pointed to one of his inspired stanzas, - - 'Withdraw not your steps from the obsequies of Hāfiz: - Though immersed in sin he will rise into paradise.'[112] - -"The admirers of the poet shouted with delight, and those who had -doubted joined in carrying his remains to a shrine near Shiraz, where, -from that day to this, his tomb is visited by pilgrims of all classes -and ages." - -I found my friend Khan Sāhib, however partial from his habits to a -literal interpretation of many passages, dwelt upon others that he -deemed mystical with all the rapture of a Soofee. I asked him if he -considered Hāfiz equal in this description of poetry to the celebrated -author of the Mesnevee, who is usually called the Moollāh of Room?[113] -"Certainly not," was his reply; "there is a depth and sublimity in -the Mesnevee, which is equalled by no poet of this class. But I will -repeat, in answer to your question, the observation of a famous Persian -critic. - -"A friend asked him how it happened that the two most celebrated -Persian Soofee poets should differ so much in their description of -love? Hāfiz, in the commencement of his work, observes: - - 'Love at first sight appeared easy, but afterwards full - of difficulties.'[114] - -The author of the Mesnevee, in exact opposition, says, - - 'Love at first resembles a bloody murderer, - That he may alarm all who are without his pale.'[115] - -"'Poor Hāfiz,' said the critic, shaking his head, 'did not find out -till the last, what the wiser Moollāh saw at a glance.'" - -I was proceeding to make some further observations, when the sound -of music and the appearance of the neighbouring villagers with their -chiefs announced that we were near our encampment, and both Khan Sāhib -and myself were obliged to take our places in the order of march, which -was always formed when we met such parties. - -FOOTNOTES: - -[103] These facts are mentioned in the Introduction to Mickle's -translation of the Lusiad. - -[104] This desert is called, where we crossed it, Deryā-e-Kebeer, or -Kemeen which signifies a desert; and the term Deryā, which means the -ocean, being prefixed, is a proof of the truth of the popular belief of -this having been once a sea. - -[105] Melek-ool-Mout derrat. - -[106] "Yekee dāstān poor ab-e-cheshem." - -[107] Gherm-esh ne-ghermee bood, oo serd-esh ne-serd - -[108] - Berf-e-peeree meenesheened ber sźr-em - Hem-choon-ān teba-em jevānee kooned. - -[109] - Rehim koon oo bee fouj der teskeen bāsh - Dilhā-e-ālem gheer oo shāh-e-ālem-gheer bāsh. - -[110] - Meger kih lāleh be-dānist bee-wefā-e-deher - Kih tā be-zād oo be-shood jām-e-mei z' kef-ne-nihād. - -[111] - Ne meedihend ijāzet me-ra be-seir-oo-Sefer - Neseem-e-bād-e-moosellā we āb-e-Rooknābād. - -[112] - Kedem dereegh medār ez jināza-e-Hāfiz. - Kih ger-chih gherek-e-goonāh est meereved be-bihisht. - - -[113] Turkey. - -[114] Kih ishk āsān nemood avvel welee ooftād mooshkil-hā. - -[115] - Ishk avvel choo ser-khoonee booved, - Tā be-tersend her kih beeroonee booved. - - - - -CHAPTER XVII. - - Distant view of Teheran--Demavend--Rhe--Entrance into the - Capital--Hajee Ibrahim--Zāl Khan--Terms of Courtesy. - - -The first distant view we had of Teheran, the modern capital of Persia, -was very imposing. It is situated near the foot of Elboorz, a mountain -of the great range which stretches from Europe to the utmost limits of -Asia. This range would appear high, were it not for Demavend, whose -lofty peak, rising above the clouds, and covered with eternal snow, -gives a diminutive appearance to every thing in its vicinity. - -We had seen Demavend at the distance of one hundred miles from its -base, but it increased in magnificence as we advanced; and those -amongst us who delighted in the pages of Firdousee now planned an early -visit to this remarkable mountain, whose summit that poet describes -as "far from the abode of man, and near to Heaven." A Persian of our -party, called Meerzā Ibrahim, who had been at Demavend, increased our -curiosity by a detail of the wonders we should see when we visited -that place. "Amongst others," said he, "is the cave that was once the -habitation of the Deev-e-Seffeed, who was slain by Roostem; and if -fortunate," he added, "you may catch a glimpse of the Deev's daughter, -whose dwelling is on the point of an inaccessible rock, at the edge of -which she now and then appears; and is reported, notwithstanding her -age, which cannot be less than two thousand four hundred years, to be -as active with her distaff, and looking as well as ever. - -"Higher up the mountain," continued our informant, "amid rocks and -snow, which forbid all mortal approach, dwells Zohāk, the most wicked -of kings, surrounded by a court of magicians and sorcerers; this -at least is the belief of the worshippers of fire. But it has been -considered as unworthy of credit by the Mahomedan historians of Persia, -who, however, do not treat so lightly the record which asserts, that -in ancient times, when Menoo-cheher made peace with Afrāsiāb,[116] -one of the articles of the treaty was, that Persia was to have all -the country in a north-east direction, over which an arrow could be -shot from Demavend. A hero, called Arish, ascended to the top of the -mountain, and such was his miraculous prowess that he sent an arrow -to the banks of the Oxus, a distance of between five and six hundred -miles. Monarchs in these days," said Meerzā Ibrahim, "we are assured -were very particular in performing their treaties, and the country was -faithfully ceded." - -"I have read all the discussions upon this subject," said Meerzā Aga -Meer, who here joined in the conversation. "One Persian historian, who -relates this fact, admits that it is incomprehensible, but at the same -time adds, that he deems it his duty to give it as received from former -writers, who state, that the arrow which was discharged at sunrise did -not fall till noon. - -"Another author of high reputation informs us, that the 'Festival of -the Arrow,'[117] on the 13th of October,[118] which is still kept by -the followers of Zoroaster, is in commemoration of this event. - -"The arrow about which so much has been said and written," added -Aga Meer, "is admitted by almost all to have been of gold. -Some philosophers, however, have conjectured that it contained -quicksilver and other substances, which, when heated by the sun, -added to its projectile force; and we are informed, that the great -'Boo-Ali-seenā[119] did not consider this feat beyond the compass of -human ingenuity." - -I concluded this discussion about the wonderful arrow by observing, -that some sceptical commentators on this passage of ancient history had -given their opinion, that the story of the golden arrow, flying from -Demavend to the Oxus, was nothing more than a bold metaphor, to express -that the Persians conquered that extent of country by their skill in -archery; "But the opinions of such writers," I said, "are rejected by -all who prefer plain facts to far-fetched metaphors." - -At a short distance from our camp we observed several mounds of earth -and ruined walls, which we were told was all that remained of the once -famous Ragas of Tobit--the Rhages of the Greeks, and the Rhe of the -Persians. - -While all who had imagination and a love of antiquity dwelt with -delight on the prospect of ascending Demavend, and visiting the ruins -of Rhe, the men of business looked only to Teheran, which appeared to -me to offer little to the view which was either grand or pleasing. One -palace alone attracted any portion of my admiration. It stood near the -base of the mountain Elboorz, on a commanding site, and was every way -suited for a royal residence. - -We were called from our plans and prospects to prepare for the entry -of the Mission into the capital; but the ceremonies of the procession -were not yet fully arranged. Letters and notes passed every minute; -secretaries and confidential messengers went to and fro without -intermission. These communications and messages chiefly related to -the forms of our reception. The period of entering Teheran had been -long fixed by the Elchee, who had consulted an eminent astrologer at -Isfahan upon this subject. The wise man, after casting his nativity, -and comparing what he found written in the book of his destiny with the -object of his Mission, which he had been told was the establishment -of friendly intercourse with Persia, declared, by a paper given under -his hand, for which he was no doubt well fee'd, "That, provided the -Elchee entered the gate of Teheran at forty-five minutes past two -o'clock, P.M. on the 13th of November, 1800, success would attend his -negotiation, and he would accomplish all his wishes." - -Meerzā Aga Meer, who, like the most enlightened of his countrymen, -believed firmly in the occult science of astrology, had the best -chronometer in our party intrusted to his care. It was given -him because his situation enabled him to ride in the procession -sufficiently near the Elchee to prompt him when to go a little faster -or slower, in order that the gate of the capital might be entered at -the exact moment, a point to which the astrologer had attached the -greatest importance. - -The party who came out some miles to welcome the Elchee consisted of -several noblemen, the chief of whom was Nou Rōz Khan Kajir, the Lord of -Requests and Commander of the King's Guard. - -About six hundred horse, principally royal guards, accompanied this -chief. We prepared for their reception by sounding the trumpets and -beating the drums of our cavalry and infantry, and putting all the -suite, European and native, in regular array. - -When the parties were within twenty yards of each other they halted, -and Nou Rōz Khan prepared to dismount. The Elchee did the same. The -latter poised himself a moment in the stirrup, lest his foot should be -on the ground before that of the Persian nobleman, which would have -marked inferiority. But the soldier-like movements of Nou Rōz Khan -showed at once he was a manly fellow, and no stickler about ceremonies. -He not only dismounted with expedition, but hastened, before the Elchee -had time to quit his horse, to come forward and welcome the guest of -his sovereign. - -We had all dismounted at the instant the Elchee did, and after mutual -introduction the whole party were again on their march, the Elchee and -Nou Rōz Khan riding exactly parallel, and their attendants a little in -the rear, nearer or more remote, according to their respective ranks. - -On the plain which we passed, before coming to the capital, some of the -guards of the king displayed their skill in horsemanship. They threw -the Jerreed[120] at each other with excellent aim; and it was often -only avoided by extraordinary activity, the horseman sometimes to all -appearance throwing himself from his horse, while the jerreed whizzed -over him. - -Another exercise, called the Doghela-Bāzee, is performed by the rider -holding a stick little more than a yard long in his hand, one end of -which he throws with great force on the ground, on the near side of the -horse when at full gallop; the direction given by this stroke causes it -to rebound over the horse's head, and the rider catches it while yet -whirling round in the air. - -But of all these exhibitions, that which pleased me most was the skill -they displayed as marksmen. When at full speed, the rider throws a -lemon over his head, and twisting his body completely round to the -left, fires at it from the off-flank of the horse,[121] almost always -with good aim, and often hitting it. This appeared to me, as combining -the different motions of the horse, the rider, and the lemon, quite -wonderful, but, like other surprising feats, it is the result of -constant practice; for the child in Persia commences this exercise at -six or seven years of age, and it is never abandoned, while there is -strength left to sit upon a horse and to pull a trigger. - -The crowds of people we now saw announced that we were in the suburbs -of Teheran. I heard Aga Meer whisper the Elchee, "You have yet ten -minutes,--a little slower." "Quicker!" was afterwards pronounced in -an under tone. Again I heard "Slower!" then "Now!" and the charger of -the Elchee put his foot over the threshold of the gate of Teheran. "Al -hamd-ool-illāh! Thanks be to God!" said the Meer, with a delighted -countenance; "it was the very moment,--how fortunate!" This joy, and -the expression of it, told all to Nou Rōz Khan, who evidently deemed -the proceeding as a matter of course; and when he heard the name of the -astrologer who was consulted at Isfahan, he seemed to think, after such -a happy moment of arrival, there could be no doubt of the fulfilment of -his predictions. This sentiment was general among the Persians in our -suite. Some of them might have doubted the sincerity of the Elchee's -belief in the occult sciences, but even these were pleased at the -consideration given to what he deemed their prejudices. - -One day after the treaties were concluded, I heard the prime minister -say, with a smile, to the Elchee, "You see, with all your European -knowledge, of what consequence it is to attend to a Persian astrologer, -who instructs you to fight us with our own weapons, the stars and -planets." - -On entering Teheran, we were conducted through the streets to the house -of the prime minister, Hajee Ibrahim. Here Nou Rōz Khan left us; but we -were welcomed at the gate of the dwelling by several of the friends and -principal members of the minister's family, and we had hardly seated -ourselves, when the Hajee was announced as coming to visit his guests. - -My curiosity to see this extraordinary man was very great. "There -must," I thought, "be something wonderful in the appearance as well -as in the mind of that human being, who, by the mere force of his -character, has raised himself from the rank of an humble magistrate -in the city of Shiraz, to be a 'puller-down and setter-up of kings;' -who, without any pretensions to military talent, and without learning -sufficient to write a note or read three lines, has overcome heroes, -has established sovereigns on the throne of Persia, and by his firmness -and wisdom has given a peace and tranquillity to his native land beyond -what it has known for a century." - -The Persians are a handsome race of men, and fond of decorating their -persons. I expected therefore to see Hajee Ibrahim enter elegantly -dressed, with a dignified if not an elastic step, with a commanding -figure, a clear animated countenance, with features expressive of -his superior character: and, above all, with two piercing eyes, -distinguished perhaps by that restless wandering from object to object, -which indicates the care and anxiety of a man who held power and life -by so precarious a tenure as a prime minister of Persia. - -We all arose as he was announced, and the Elchee went forward to meet -him. Judge of my surprise when I saw, instead of the magnificent -personage of my imagination, a heavy-looking man, dressed in very -plain clothes, enter the room, and proceed towards his seat, with a -rolling of the body that almost approached to a waddle. His features -were rather coarse, and his eyes, though clear, had nothing of the -piercing or searching qualities I had anticipated. As to his manners, -they did not appear to have changed with his condition, but to be still -those of a respectable citizen of Shiraz. I was, I must confess, quite -disappointed; but before the half hour expired, which he passed in -conversation with the Elchee, my mind had undergone another change, for -there was in all he said a good sense, a sincerity, and a strength, -that quite convinced me of the justice of the fame he had acquired. - -The Hajee's brother, Abd-ool-Raheem Khan, came the day after our -arrival to pay his respects to the Elchee. An attempt was made by -the steward of the minister's household to obtain more deference -for this person than he was from his rank entitled to. "The Hajee," -said the politic major-domo, "always gives the seat of honour to -Abd-ool-Raheem Khan, who is his elder brother!" "He is right in so -doing," said the Elchee; "but this gentleman is not my elder brother." -The reply indicated a knowledge of the relations on which precedence -was to be given or refused, which terminated the discussion. In came -Abd-ool-Raheem Khan, a very fat and dull man, whose merit appeared -limited to that of being brother to a prime minister. He took his -seat very contentedly; staid half an hour; spoke half a sentence--and -retired. - -The first night I passed at Hajee Ibrahim's, I was disturbed by a -continued mumbling and confused noise in the next apartment, which, -upon inquiry, I found proceeded from the extreme piety of its inmate, -Zāl Khan of Khisht. - -This remarkable man had established a great name in his native -mountains, betwixt Abusheher and Shiraz; and he was long distinguished -as one of the bravest and most attached followers of the Zend family. -When the death of Lootf Ali Khan terminated its power, he, along with -the other governors of provinces and districts in Fars, submitted -to Aga Mahomed Khan. That cautious and cruel monarch, dreading the -ability, and doubtful of the allegiance of this chief, ordered his eyes -to be put out: an appeal for the recall of the sentence being treated -with disdain, Zāl Khan loaded the tyrant with curses. "Cut out his -tongue," was the second order. This mandate was imperfectly executed; -and the loss of half this member deprived him of speech. Being -afterwards persuaded that its being cut close to the root would enable -him to speak so as to be understood, he submitted to the operation, -and the effect has been, that his voice, though indistinct and thick, -is yet intelligible to persons accustomed to converse with him. This -I experienced from daily intercourse. He often spoke to me of his -sufferings, and of the humanity of the present king, who had restored -him to his situation as head of his tribe, and governor of Khisht. - -I am not an anatomist, and cannot therefore give a reason why a man, -who could not articulate with half a tongue, should speak when he had -none at all; but the facts are as stated, and I had them from the very -best authority, old Zāl Khan himself. - -Some points of no small consequence underwent discussion the day after -we reached Teheran. The Persian language is very copious, and has many -terms which, though signifying in substance the same, have a shade -of difference in the application, which enables those versed in such -matters to use them so as to denote the rank and respective relations -of the parties who hold intercourse with each other. For instance, the -word friendship may be expressed by three or four terms, which imply -superiority, equality, or inferiority. The speaker may, by the manner -in which he introduces the expression "I have a regard for you"--"I -esteem your friendship"--"My duty always attends you"--or, "My service -is at your command," mark the respect or relation in which he holds -him whom he addresses. These are in Persia, as with us, expressions of -courtesy; but in that country the subject meets much more attention -than we give it, and especially in all communications with a foreign -envoy. - -Both the Elchee and his host, Hajee Ibrahim, might have smiled inwardly -at the trifling nature of such forms, but the relation in which they -stood towards each made it necessary to observe them; and as the terms -they used in conversation were likely to serve as a standard to others, -it was judged necessary to have a congress of meerzās or secretaries, -skilled in such niceties, to settle this important point. - -Two very formal men were deputed by the minister; and Aga Meer and -Mahomed Hoosein, the Indian Moonshee, attended on the part of the -Elchee. The negotiation was opened on the admitted basis of perfect -equality of rank between the parties. Notwithstanding the apparent -simplicity of the subject, much discussion ensued. My Indian friend -gave me a full account of it. "The minister's meerzās," said he, -"endeavoured to establish points which, though seemingly trivial, -would have given a shade of superiority to their master which I would -not admit: they rather alarmed Aga Meer, who, being a Persian, could -not be expected to stand up against them, at the hazard of giving -offence to those of his country who were in power: but what did I -care," said Mahomed Hoosein, swelling with the part he had acted at -this conference, "for their prime ministers? I know no superiors but my -master and the English government. - -"They told me," he added, "that by giving now and then a term of -respect to Hajee Ibrahim, more than he received, the Elchee would add -to the consequence of that minister, and not diminish his own, as they -were informed that people in England cared little about such matters. I -told them, however, that the Elchee, in all he did or said, considered -the impressions he was to make in Persia, not in England, and that he -would abandon no claims to respect, even in matters of the slightest -word or form, which tended in any manner to affect his representative -character with the nation to which he was sent. - -"Seeing," said the good Moonshee,[122] "that nothing was to be gained -from me, they came at last to an amicable arrangement." The word -friendship, which implies perfect equality, may be used in common -conversation; but occasionally the terms, "my duty waits upon you," -or, "my service is at your command," are to be introduced, with this -express provision, that whenever one party in the excess of his -politeness uses them, the other is to take the earliest opportunity -of doing the same. This rule is also to be particularly observed in -the important phrases of "you represented," "you said," or, "you -commanded." "You said," is settled as the term of equality; but "you -commanded," it is agreed, may be frequently interchanged, as tending to -show the great respect the parties entertain for each other. - -Possessed of this information, I watched the first interview of those -for whom this arrangement was made with no little interest. I noticed -that the Elchee replied immediately to the first concession made by -Hajee Ibrahim by a similar expression: but when he himself made one -some time afterwards, which did not meet with so prompt a return, I -was amused to see him retreat upon his terms of equality. This had the -desired effect. No more encroachments were made upon his dignity; and -from his conduct on this occasion, and others of similar importance, -he was no doubt considered by the Persians as a most accomplished -diplomatist! - -The termination of this battle of words at Teheran, added to that of -forms at Shiraz, were happy preparations for the discussions regarding -the ceremonies of presentation to the king; but these will be noticed -in the next chapter. - -FOOTNOTES: - -[116] The Sovereign of Tartary. - -[117] Teer-gah. - -[118] The month of October, in the ancient Persian Calendar, is called -Teer or the Arrow. - -[119] Avicenna. - -[120] A wooden javelin. - -[121] The modern Persian horseman has changed the bow of his ancestors -for a matchlock, but the mode of using his arms is the same. The -Parthians are described, in their successful contests with the -disciplined legions of Rome, as carrying on their attacks, not against -the army but the supplies by which it was supported. - -"The mode in which the Parthian warrior took his unerring aim, while -his horse was carrying him from his enemy," says the author of the -History of Persia, "may be viewed as a personification of the system of -warfare by which his nation, during this era of its history, maintained -its independence. The system was suited to the soil, to the man, and to -the fleet and robust animal on which he was mounted; and its success -was so certain, that the bravest veterans of Rome murmured when their -leaders talked of a Parthian war."--History of Persia, vol. i. p. 88. - -[122] This excellent man is living on a small estate in his native -country, the northern Circars, granted for his services in Persia and -other quarters. He accompanied his old master, the Elchee, in the -campaign in India of 1817-18; and in consideration of this further -service to the public, his estate has been settled upon his children. - - - - -CHAPTER XVIII. - - Terms of Reception at Court--Second Visit--Delivery - of Presents--King's Grant--Private Interviews--King's - Ancestors--Crown Jewels--King's love of a Joke--Mode of Passing his - Time--Harem--Royal Meals--Hajee Ibrahim--His Character and Death. - - -The Elchee's reputation as a man conversant with forms, and much alive -to their importance in all diplomatic proceedings, smoothed the way for -the settlement he had to make regarding his reception at court. There -were still, however, many minor points to be arranged which required -much grave discussion. One presented itself on the very threshold of -this negotiation, with which we were all highly amused. - -Many observations had been made on our dress at Shiraz, but no records -existed at the provincial capital, which could authorise the minister -of the prince to object to the Elchee's being presented in his -uniform. The outward appearance of our heads, the hair of which had -been recently cropped, obtained us high compliments, at the expense of -our friends the Russians. That nation had some years before invaded -the territory of Persia, and its troops were then threatening another -attack. The consequence was a very hostile feeling towards it amongst -the courtiers and ministers of the king of kings. Chirāgh Ali Khan, -when we were at Shiraz, dilated on our habits as much more cleanly -than our Christian brethren of the north. "They delight in nothing," -said he, "but strong liquor and hogs' flesh; and, would you believe -it?" addressing himself to the Elchee, "they are so fond of the vile -animal on which they live, that they actually tie their hair in a -form which resembles its tail." The Elchee looked as if incredulous -of this last usage, though it was, to my knowledge, not more than a -twelvemonth since his own head had been shorn of the ornament held in -such abomination. - -From what had passed, we thought that we were safe on the point of -dress; but we were mistaken. Two days after our arrival at Isfahan, -a meerzā came on the part of Hajee Ibrahim, to speak to the Elchee -on this subject. After many apologies and explanations regarding the -minute attention to ceremonies at the Persian court, he observed, that -it even related to dress; and as the Elchee was to be presented to the -king, it was expected he would put on garments suited to the occasion. -The Elchee replied, he did not know what was meant, but that he could -wear no dress except that of his country; and being a soldier, he wore -the uniform belonging to his station in the army. The Meerzā smiled, -and said they were better informed upon such subjects than the Elchee -imagined. He then produced a parcel; and after opening a number of -envelopes, he showed several small pictures of ambassadors who had -visited Persia two centuries ago. One, which was called the painting -of the English representative, and believed to be Sir Anthony Shirley, -was dressed in the full costume of the time of Queen Elizabeth. "This," -said the Meerzā, "is the pattern which it is hoped you will adopt, as -his majesty desires to follow in all points the usages of the Seffavean -kings, since they well understood what was due to the dignity of the -throne of Persia." - -The Elchee could not help smiling at this proposition; but seeing the -Meerzā look grave, he begged pardon, and told him, that when he saw -Hajee Ibrahim he would satisfy him fully on this subject. The minister -came soon afterwards into the room, and was much entertained at the -account of the changes which fashion had made in our dress, since -the days of good Queen Bess. "Well, well," said he, in his short but -forcible manner, "our habits are so different from yours on this point -that the mistake is not surprising; and though I do not altogether -like a usage which makes children laugh at the garments of their -grandfathers, every country has a right to its own customs, and to -these its representatives should adhere. I must," he said in a whisper, -"plague you a little on such points, for I have a bad name, from not -being a stickler for forms; and I shall trust," he added, "to your good -nature to allow me to establish my character." - -The marching with fixed bayonets, drawn swords, and trumpets sounding, -to the great gate of the palace, the spot where he was to dismount--the -manner in which he was to approach the king, and the place where he -was to sit, were all settled to the satisfaction of the Elchee. An -objection was at first made to the suite being seated, but numerous -books as well as pictures were produced, to prove the usage of the -Seffavean monarchs on this head, and the point was conceded. - -There was much and serious discussion as to the rank of the person to -be appointed to meet the Elchee at the entrance room, where, according -to etiquette, he must remain till his majesty was announced as ready to -receive him. - -Sūlimān Khan Kajir, first cousin and son-in-law of the king, and who -had at one period aspired to the throne, was the person fixed upon -to act this part of the drama. No compliment could be greater to the -embassy than its being assigned to him; but there was one drawback--it -was urged, that the said Sūlimān Khan was of too high rank to rise from -his seat to receive any man upon earth, except the king, or a prince -of the blood-royal; he was besides Lord of the Court,[123] an office -which gave him the place of majesty itself when the king was absent. -Notwithstanding these pretensions, it was agreed that he should make -a slight movement, or a half rise, when the Elchee entered the room, -and that the latter should seat himself on the carpet on a footing of -equality. - -Everything being arranged, we proceeded towards the "Threshold of the -World's Glory," on the morning of the sixteenth of November, in the -year of our Lord eighteen hundred! We were all dressed in our best -attire. A crowd had assembled near the house of Hajee Ibrahim, and the -streets were filled with gazers at the strangers. - -The infantry part of the escort, with their drum and fifes, and all the -Hindustānnee public servants in scarlet and gold, preceded the Elchee, -who rode a beautiful Arabian horse richly caparisoned, but entirely in -the English style; he was followed by the gentlemen of his suite and -his escort of cavalry. - -When we came within half a mile of the palace all was silence and -order: it was the state of Asia with the discipline of Europe. We -passed through rows of men and horses; and even the latter appeared -as if afraid to shake their heads. Many persons whom we saw in the -first square of the citadel, before we entered the palace, were richly -dressed, and some of the horses were decked out with bridles, saddles, -and trappings of great value; but it was not until we passed the last -gate of the palace, and came into the garden in front of the king's -hall of audience, a highly ornamented and spacious building, that we -could form any idea of the splendour of the Persian court. - -A canal flowed in the centre of a garden, which supplied a number of -fountains, to the right and left of which were broad paved walks, -and beyond these were rows of trees. Between the trees and the high -wall encircling the palace files of matchlock-men were drawn up; and -within the avenues, from the gate to the hall of audience, all the -princes, nobles, courtiers, and officers of state, were marshalled in -separate lines, according to their rank, from the lowest officer of the -king's guard, who occupied the place nearest the entrance, to the heir -apparent, Abbas Meerzā, who stood on the right of his brothers, and -within a few paces of the throne. - -There was not one person in all this array who had not a gold-hilted -sword, a Cashmere shawl round his cap, and another round his waist. -Many of the princes and nobles were magnificently dressed, but all was -forgotten as soon as the eye rested upon the king. - -He appeared to be above the middle size, his age little more than -thirty, his complexion rather fair; his features were regular and -fine, with an expression denoting quickness and intelligence. His -beard attracted much of our attention; it was full, black, and glossy, -and flowed to his middle. His dress baffled all description. The -ground of his robes was white; but he was so covered with jewels of an -extraordinary size, and their splendour, from his being seated where -the rays of the sun played upon them, was so dazzling, that it was -impossible to distinguish the minute parts which combined to give such -amazing brilliancy to his whole figure. - -The two chief officers of ceremonies, who carried golden sticks, -stopped twice, as they advanced towards the throne, to make a low -obeisance, and the Elchee at the same time took off his hat. When -near the entrance of the hall the procession stopped, and the lord -of requests said, "Captain John Malcolm is come, as envoy from the -governor-general of India to your majesty." The king, looking to the -Elchee, said, in a pleasing and manly voice, "You are welcome."[124] - -We then ascended the steps of the hall, and were seated, as had been -previously arranged. The letter from the governor-general, which had -been carried in the procession on a golden tray, was opened and read. -His majesty inquired after the health of the king of England and of -the ruler of India. He desired particularly to know how the Elchee had -been treated in his dominions, and whether he liked what he had seen of -Persia? - -To all these questions appropriate answers were returned; and we -left his majesty, after being seated about twenty minutes, very -much gratified by our reception, and with an assurance from our -mehmandar,[125] which was afterwards confirmed by the prime minister, -that the king of kings was highly pleased with the mission, the state -and splendour of which he could not but feel added to his reputation, -and gave him fame and popularity with his own subjects. - -Several days passed before our second visit to court, when the Elchee -carried the presents from the governor-general, some of which were -very valuable, particularly the pier-glasses, which have been already -mentioned. A change was made in this second visit; we were not stopped -as before at the room, where we were met by Sūlimān Khan Kajir, that -chief having failed in showing the Elchee proper respect, by not -rising when he went in or out of the apartment; and to prevent further -disputes, the ceremony of stopping, in our progress towards the throne, -was altogether dispensed with. The court was still more fully attended -than before, and the king, if possible, more magnificently dressed. - -After we had been seated a short time, the presents were announced. -I was a little anxious when one of the ministers began to read the -list. There had been a great desire to give them a name which denoted -inferiority of rank on the part of the person from whom they were -sent; but the Elchee would not allow of any such term being used, -and he told the prime minister, that if any attempt of the kind were -made, he would, notwithstanding the strict etiquette of the Persian -court, instantly address the king, and tell him, that the presents he -brought were neither tribute nor offerings, as his secretary had from -inadvertence called them, but rarities and curiosities sent from the -British ruler of India, in token of his regard and friendship for the -king of Persia. This communication had the desired effect; our presents -were termed rarities, and the high rank of the governor-general, as a -person intrusted with sovereign functions, was on this occasion upheld. - -This visit was at its commencement very formal, but the king, evidently -desirous to give it another character, said to the Elchee, "I have -heard a report which I cannot believe, that your king has only one -wife." "No Christian prince can have more," said the Elchee. "O, I -know that! but he may have a little lady."[126] "Our gracious king, -George the Third," replied the Envoy, "is an example to his subjects -of attention to morality and religion in this respect, as in every -other." "This may all be very proper," concluded his majesty of -Persia, laughing, "but I certainly should not like to be king of such -a country." - -A curious incident occurred as we left the palace. The king's giant, a -man above eight feet high, and stout in proportion, was placed against -one of the walls of the gate through which we were to retire, and he -had in his hand a club of enormous dimensions. It was expected that -the Elchee, on seeing him, would start with astonishment if not alarm; -but he passed without taking any notice of this redoubtable personage, -except by a slight glance. The fact was, as he afterwards confessed, it -never entered into his imagination that it was a human being. Paintings -of Roostem and his club (which the giant was dressed to imitate) are -very common in Persia, and in the hurry of passing he took this to -be one. He was first made sensible of his mistake by the praises of -his mehmandar. "Admirable!" said the latter to him: "nothing could be -better: the fools wished to try to startle you with giants and clubs -stuck up against a wall. They are rightly served; your eye hardly -rested on him for a moment, evidently not thinking him worthy of your -notice. I shall tell them," he added, with a feeling that showed he -considered his honour was associated with that of the person of whom he -had charge, "that such men are quite common in your country, and that -this giant would hardly be tall enough for one of the guards of the -king of England." - -Before we left Teheran the Envoy had several interviews with the king, -at all of which his majesty was gracious; and at some, which were -private, he spoke a great deal, and was very inquisitive into the -habits and usages of England, and the character of its government. - -Speaking of the empire of India, he asked, if it were true that ten -ships were sent every year from that country to England loaded with -gold and silver? The Elchee said it was very rare any bullion was -sent from our territories in the East to England; that whatever went -was in merchandise. "What a lie," said his majesty, "the Envoy[127] -who preceded you told me; but," (seeing the Elchee annoyed,) "do not -vex yourself, it is not your shame but ours; your predecessor was a -Persian, and we all exaggerate--you speak truth. But why did you send -a Persian to my court? I suppose," continuing to answer himself, "it -was to find out what kind of a being I was, and whether my country was -settled, before you deputed one of your own nation." - -"Are the French," he asked, "a powerful people?" "Certainly," replied -the Envoy; "they would not otherwise deserve to be mentioned as the -enemies of the English." "There again," said the king, turning to his -ministers, "you know we were told that the French were a weak and -contemptible nation, which was incredible: the Elchee, by telling the -truth, has done them justice, and raised his own country at the same -time." - -After a number of questions on the mines of South America, and the arts -and manufactures of Europe, the king said, "All this is astonishing! -Persia has nothing but steel." "Steel well managed," said the Elchee, -"has, from the beginning of the world to the present day, commanded -all other riches." "Very true," said the king, quite pleased with this -compliment; "that is a very just observation; therefore we must not -complain, but continue to be contented, as our ancestors have been, -with our swords and our lances." - -The king had learned that the Elchee, in his conversation with the -minister, had displayed considerable acquaintance with the past history -of his family at Asterabad, and his curiosity being excited, he sent -to desire his attendance. We were received in a private apartment, in -which there were only a few courtiers, but there were several Kajir -chiefs, and four or five elders[128] of that tribe. - -The interrogation began; and as the Elchee derived his knowledge from -that minute and truth-telling traveller, Jonas Hanway, his answers -quite surprised all present; and when he informed them, not only of -the events which happened fifty-six[129] years before, but gave them -accounts of the personal appearance, the dispositions, the connections, -and the characters of the different chiefs, the astonishment of -the elders was expressed by the frequent repetition of "Yā Ali," -an ejaculation that, in the mouth of a Persian, attends all sudden -emotions of wonder. The king was more than pleased, he was delighted; -he evidently believed, from the Elchee's knowledge of the history of -his family, that their fame had reached Europe, and that it was as well -known to the nations of that quarter of the globe as to the Tūrkūmāns -of Goorgān, or the natives of Mazenderan. - -The Elchee on this occasion told the truth, but not the whole truth. -The character of the court in which he was giving evidence did not -perhaps require the latter, and it might have lessened the pleasure -imparted, to have spoken of the plundered bales of cloth, and the -dread of being made over to the Tūrkūmāns, which had so fixed the -recollection of his majesty's family in the mind of poor Jonas Hanway. -As it was, the king was delighted, and conversed familiarly on various -subjects. Amongst others, he inquired very particularly into the frame -of the English government. - -The Elchee explained it to him as well as he could. When he spoke of -the liberty of the subject, his majesty was puzzled to understand what -it meant; but on being told it implied, that no man was so high in -England as to be able to do anything contrary to the law of the land; -and no man so low, but that he might do everything not contrary to that -law, he appeared to comprehend this, as well as the other points which -had been explained to him. - -"I understand all you have said," he observed; and after some -reflection, he added--"Your king is, I see, only the first magistrate -of the country."[130] "Your majesty," said the Elchee, "has exactly -defined his situation." "Such a condition of power," said he, smiling, -"has permanence, but it has no enjoyment: mine is enjoyment. There you -see Sūlimān Khan Kajir, and several other of the first chiefs of the -kingdom--I can cut all their heads off: can I not?" said he, addressing -them. "Assuredly, 'Point of adoration of the world,'[131] if it is your -pleasure." - -"That is real power," said the king; "but then it has no permanence. -When I am gone, my sons will fight for the crown, and all will be -confusion: there is, however, one consolation, Persia will be governed -by a soldier." - -The king, at this visit, appeared in great good humour with the Elchee, -and gratified the latter by showing him his richest jewels, amongst -which was the "sea of light,"[132] which is deemed one of the purest -and most valuable diamonds in the world. Many of the others were -surprisingly splendid. - -On the evening after this visit, my excellent friend, whom I have -before mentioned as preferring a shot at a duck to a view of the ruins -of Persepolis, said he would like to be king of Persia. Knowing that -inordinate ambition had no place in his mind, I asked him what he would -do if he attained that station: "Run away with my crown," was the -prompt answer. We had a hearty laugh at the genuine simplicity of this -expression. It is perhaps the first time sovereignty was ever desired -for such a purpose; but, considering all that attends, in Persia, the -wearing of the article he wished for, it would perhaps be the best -mode of converting to real advantage so dangerous and precarious a -possession. - -The condition of Fatteh Ali Shāh, at the time I first saw him, was -deemed, by his Mahomedan subjects, as fortunate as could be attained -by any human being in this world. He added to youth and personal -endowments, four wives, more ladies than I will venture to name, and -nearly one hundred children, the possession of a splendid throne, -and the prospect of living long to enjoy it, for his cruel but able -uncle, Aga Mahomed, had destroyed all who were likely to dispute his -possession of the crown. "He had," to use his own words, "raised a -royal palace, and cemented it with blood, that the boy Bābā Khan (the -name he always gave his nephew) might sleep within its walls in peace." - -The king has elegant manners and many accomplishments. Among others, -he is a poet, and has written a book of odes, of the merits of which -the critics of Persia speak in perfect raptures. I only wish I had the -same power that he possesses of disarming severity and propitiating -favour. What a magnifying glass would then be applied to these pages, -now doomed, I fear, to be viewed through a reversed telescope, which -will make them appear so diminutive as hardly to be worth the trouble -of perusing. But to return to his majesty of Persia. - -I made all the inquiries I could into his usual habits and mode of -passing his time. He is very regular in the execution of his public -duties; and being a king of Persia is no sinecure. He must have two -courts every day; one public, and another private. He receives at the -first the salutations of all his sons, nobles, ministers, and public -officers; and at this public levee strangers are presented. At the -second, in which his ministers and favourites only attend, business is -transacted. - -The present king, like many of the same age and temperament, makes up, -by the employment of his leisure moments, for the forms and restraints -which usage imposes upon him when before the eye of the public. He -pursues with great ardour the sports of the field, is an excellent -horseman, and a good shot. - -Being fond of his fame as a literary man, he devotes some time to the -society of the learned, and enjoys hearing poetry and entertaining -stories recited. He has, however, I am told, more boyish amusements, in -which those of his favourite attendants and domestics, who join, are -admitted to great familiarity. The age and character of Hajee Ibrahim -have naturally inspired the king with some awe; and it is not an -uncommon joke, when his majesty is at high romps, for some privileged -person to exclaim, "Hajee! Hajee!" as if the minister were seen -approaching: the word is certain to act as a talisman; all are grave -and in their places in a moment, till a laugh from the successful wit -proclaims that it is only a jest. - -I had an opportunity of observing that the king is very fond of having -a laugh at the expense of his gravest ministers and highest nobles; and -Hajee Ibrahim assured me, he had never seen him more delighted than by -the opportunity of indulging in this vein, afforded by two occurrences -connected with our party. - -Sūlimān Khan Kajir, of whose unbending dignity I have already spoken, -feeling himself unwell, sent to request that the surgeon of the English -mission might attend him. That gentleman went; but as he could not -speak Persian, he was accompanied by the relation of the Elchee before -noticed. This cherished friend of mine (who is now, alas! no more) was, -from his knowledge of the language and his pleasing manners, a general -favourite at court, and was distinguished by the Mahomedan appellation -of Feiz-Ali, which had been given from its resemblance, in their ears, -to his English name. The Persian chief received and treated him and the -doctor with such repulsive coldness and pride, that when he desired a -second visit they were unwilling to return; but the Elchee, anxious -to pay every attention to so near a relation of the king, insisted -upon their going. Their reception this time was exactly opposite to -what it was before. Sūlimān Khan insisted upon their sitting near him, -treated him with sweetmeats and coffee, and laughed at the doctor, -whom he desired to cure a bad eye he had with the touch of his finger; -and on his being answered with a declaration of inability, said he was -rejoiced to find that European physicians had not that magical power -with which his countrymen in their ignorance vested them. - -The two gentlemen returned just as we were on the point of sitting down -to dinner with Hajee Ibrahim. "Well," said the minister, addressing -the Elchee's relation, "how did you find Sūlimān Khan?" All that had -passed was repeated. "Why," said the Hajee, "the Khan must have been -drunk." "Very possibly," replied my friend; "all I can say is, he was -very polite and very pleasant, and I regret much that he was not drunk -at the first visit we paid him." - -The Hajee was highly diverted with this reply, which he repeated to the -king the same evening; and we learnt that his majesty next day rallied -his relation with great effect, telling him Feiz-Ali had said he was "a -pleasant companion, and a very polite gentleman, when he was drunk!" - -The other occurrence occasioned still more mirth to the "king of -kings." A number of the first nobles and ministers solicited, and were -permitted, to give dinners to the Elchee. Amongst these was a near -relation of his majesty, called Mahomed Hoosein Khan. It was expected -that this nobleman would visit the Elchee; but he did not pay this -mark of respect. The consequence was, the Elchee wrote to decline the -honour of waiting upon him. This caused the greatest confusion: Hajee -Ibrahim was sent for several times by the king, and at last brought -a message, intimating, that if the Elchee would give way on this -occasion, his majesty would deem it a personal favour, and would take -care he should never again be placed in such a situation. The Hajee -added his own entreaties, saying, "If you do not go, the indignity put -upon this proud Kajir chief will be exclusively ascribed to my advice." -Consideration for the minister weighed more with the Elchee than all -other motives, and he agreed to recall his excuse, stating, that he did -so at the express desire of the king. - -The Elchee, when he entered the dinner apartment, though he must -have known his host by the dignified distance at which he sat from -his guests, nevertheless, choosing to mark the absurdity of going to -dine with a man with whose person he was unacquainted, turned to the -mehmandar, and said, "Which of these Omrāhs is Mahomed Hoosein Khan -Doodākee?" The poor mehmandar was so confounded that he could only -answer by pointing to the personage inquired after, who now advanced -with an air of offended pride, while the whole assembly looked -astounded. - -Notwithstanding this bad beginning, the party went off very well, -chiefly owing to the pleasant manners and information of the minister, -Rizā Koolee Khan, who exerted himself not a little to promote good -humour. - -We were not aware, till we returned home, of one cause of the surprise -which the interrogation, addressed to the mehmandar, had occasioned. -The Elchee, who understood Persian, was wholly ignorant of Turkish, and -consequently did not know that the title of Doodākee, which he gave to -his host, from having heard him so called, was not one of honour, but -a nick-name, signifying "Thick-lip," which he had received from the -conformation of that feature, and which was useful in distinguishing -him from a hundred other Mahomed Hoosein Khans belonging to the Turkish -tribe of Kajir. - -The king, we were informed, was delighted with this story, and used -sometime afterward, when our host was standing amongst other chiefs -near the throne, to exclaim, "Which of all these Omrāhs is Mahomed -Hoosein Khan Doodākee?" - -The king passes some hours of every day in the seraglio, or ladies' -apartments. If the character of my little work permitted, I could here -give the rein to my imagination, and create scenes, which however -unreal might still please and interest many of my readers. I could -paint Circassians and Georgians of surpassing beauty--clothe them in -robes and jewels of unparalleled splendour--give to some the fond but -unavailing regrets of past but not unforgotten early attachments--and -to others the pangs of jealousy, and a torturing sense of love changed -for neglect. I could devise well-planned intrigues, hair-breadth -escapes, and hint at murders committed, where no eye could see, and no -tongue could tell the tale of horror; but all these exciting subjects -are forbidden me, by a stupid rule I have laid down, which compels me, -in all that I personally relate, to limit myself to facts. - -From what I have heard of the seraglio of the King of Persia, many -forms observed in it are the same as in the outer apartments. - -The king, like all good Mahomedans, rises early, as the first prayer -must be said at dawn of day; he is aided in his toilet by female -attendants. After he is dressed he holds a levee, at which more than -three hundred ladies of different ranks are present: each, according -to her rank or favour, standing nearer or farther from the throne. Two -only, I am informed, have the privilege of being seated-the mother of -the heir-apparent, and the daughter of Ibrahim Khan of Sheesha. - -There are in the seraglio female officers of every description. A Lady -of Requests, a Lady of the Ceremonies, and my Lady Chief Constable. One -duty of the first is to introduce the young strangers to the notice of -their lord and sovereign; the second marshals all in their station, -according to their dignity or consideration; and the third is armed -with an authority which, if fame speaks true, is not unfrequently -called into action. - -The influence of many of the ladies is very great. The mothers of the -princes who are employed in distant provinces usually accompany their -sons, and contrive, by intrigue, to preserve that power which their -charms once gave them: almost all these pay the king annual visits. - -There are bands of singers and dancers, drolls and mimics, within the -walls of the inner apartments, who contribute both to his majesty's -amusement and that of his ladies. There are also females who traffic in -different wares, and many of these have the privilege of going out and -coming in at pleasure. - -The King of Persia can only, according to law, marry four wives: these -are selected from considerations of policy, not of affection. They -are upon a very different footing from any of the other ladies in the -seraglio; they have separate establishments, and are always objects of -attention and respect, though seldom perhaps of affection. But real -love can hardly be imagined to have ever found a dwelling amid such -scenes as have been described; yet I was told a short but affecting -tale, with so many circumstances to confirm its truth, that I could -hardly doubt but the king of kings once knew the meaning of this sacred -word. - -A young dancing-girl from Shiraz, named Tootee,[133] was raised from -a humble rank to a place in the royal seraglio. Tootee, who from her -profession must in her earliest years have been seen by many, is said -to have been of an elegant and delicate form, with a fine voice, and -a face that indicated feeling and intelligence. She gained the heart -of her royal lover, and, according to fame, gave him all her own in -return. While she lived, others were neglected; but this fair flower -soon drooped and died. The grief of the king was excessive. He directed -her to be interred near the shrine of the holy Shāh Abd-ool-Azeem, -which is within five miles of the capital. His visits to this shrine -have, since this event, become much more frequent than before; whether -they are from respect to the remains of the saint, or from fond regret -of his beloved Tootee, cannot be determined; but he is often observed -to sit upon her tomb, in the apparent enjoyment of a melancholy -pleasure. - -Notwithstanding the habits of his condition, and the severe and cruel -acts to which that has often led him, there is naturally a kind -disposition in the present King of Persia, which has made me always -regard him as deserving of estimation, and I cannot but take an -interest in all that personally concerns him. - -It is from such feelings, that the short history and fate of Tootee -have ever interested me. I have been gratified to think, that the mind -of one I desired to hold in regard was not so completely corrupted -and polluted by sensual indulgence and luxury, as to be a stranger to -a passion which, in any shape that approaches to purity, softens and -ennobles man, far beyond all other sentiments that are associated with -his happiness in this world. - -The king leaves his inner apartments at eight o'clock. An hour or -two before breakfast is passed with his favourite companions, of -whom Mahomed Hoosein Khan Mervee is, as he merits to be, the most -distinguished, both from his rank and superior qualities. - -The breakfast for his majesty is served in great state, and the dishes -are of pure gold: this meal is usually at ten in the morning, and -dinner at eight in the evening. - -The trays which contain the royal meals are sealed up by the head of -the household, an office of great trust; and while this precaution -is taken against poison, a physician attends lest the royal appetite -should be indulged to an excess that might injure health. I fear, -however, this wise man is not so successful in enforcing abstemiousness -as he who watched over the renowned sovereign of Barrataria! - -No person is allowed to eat with the king, but he has generally one or -two of his youngest sons near him, to whom he gives of the dishes which -he thinks they like best; he also, at times, as a mark of great favour, -sends victuals dressed for himself to others. The Elchee was often -honoured with presents of bread, rice, and pillaw. These specimens of -culinary art satisfied me, that his majesty's cooks merited all the -praises I had heard bestowed on them. - -When the first mission took its departure from Teheran, the king was -most gracious. We all received fine dresses from his majesty: that -given to the Elchee was most splendid; and he had besides a handsome -horse, and a dagger richly set with jewels. There was much anxiety -that he should dress in these robes; but though he expressed himself -willing to wear any of them which could be put over his own clothes, -he could not, he said, put off any part of his uniform. The king, very -good-humouredly, alluded to his tenacity in this particular, at our -last visit: "You were unjust to your own appearance, Elchee," said -he; "had you put on the cap I sent, you would have looked one of the -tallest men in Persia." - -The leave we took of Hajee Ibrahim was marked by some circumstances -which made it truly affecting. This extraordinary man had become very -intimate with the Elchee, to whom he communicated his anticipation of -being soon put to death. "The king and his ministers," said he, "are -all anxious to destroy me. Your arrival has delayed for a time the -execution of their designs, but it is only for a short period. I could -easily save myself; but Persia would again be plunged in warfare. My -object," he continued, "has been to give my country one king; I cared -not whether he was a Zend or a Kajir, so that there was an end of -internal distraction. I have seen enough of these scenes of blood; I -will be concerned in no more of them. I hope I have made my peace with -God, and shall therefore die contented." - -The Elchee, who had succeeded in effecting an outward reconciliation -between Hajee Ibrahim and the other ministers, Meerzā Seffee and Meerzā -Rizā Koolee, took this opportunity of beseeching his friend to treat -these personages with more consideration and respect. He also earnestly -exhorted him to bear with more temper than he did the occasional fits -of ill-humour and violence of the king. - -"I cannot alter my nature," said the Hajee; "it is plain and downright: -besides, the conduct you recommend would be of no use; it would only -precipitate my fate. The fears of my enemies would lead them to -conclude that it covered some deep design." - -This conversation passed two days before our departure; and the day -on which it occurred the Hajee appeared very melancholy. The Elchee -had been in the habit of taking great notice of, and playing with, the -minister's youngest son, a fine boy of five years of age. The child, -who was well trained in Persian etiquette, had remained quiet till he -saw the Elchee move towards the door; he then ran after him, and in -trying to lay hold of his clothes, fell on his face, and burst into -tears. The Hajee, forgetting all forms in parental feeling, ran forward -also, and taking his son in his arms, said--"Thou hast a heart, my -child! thou hast a heart;[134] but God," said he, in a lower tone, to -the Elchee, "has informed him he is soon to lose his father, and taught -him where to look for a friend." - -The anticipations of the minister proved just: though his fate was -delayed for two years, chiefly from the influence of the king's mother, -who well knew the value of such a servant as Hajee Ibrahim. Her death -left the field open to his enemies, who fabricated every accusation -that could work upon either the pride or fears of the king, to make -him destroy one whom they at once dreaded and hated. Their arts were -but too successful; and the high and disdainful manner in which this -truly great man repelled the charges brought against him caused his -being put to a cruel death. His brothers and sons were, according -to the barbarous usage in Persia, included in his sentence. These, -though residing in different parts of the kingdom, were all seized -(so well arranged was the plan) on the same day, and the same hour. -Some were put to death, others lost their eyes; all their property was -confiscated. Indeed the plunder of the accumulated wealth of the family -who had so long enjoyed power probably tended, with other motives, in -producing this melancholy termination to its fame and fortune. - -It is stated, that though the king endeavours to persuade himself Hajee -Ibrahim meant to rebel, and that his throne was endangered by the -existence of this powerful subject, he is often visited with remorse at -his own conduct towards him. On occasions of emergency to the state he -has been frequently known to reproach his present ministers with the -loss to Persia which their arts and jealousies had caused, exclaiming, -"Where is Hajee Ibrahim? he alone was fit to give counsel to a monarch." - -It may perhaps be received as a proof of the king's sentiments upon -this subject, that, being aware of the affecting scene which had taken -place with the youngest son of Hajee Ibrahim on the Elchee's leaving -Teheran in 1800, he directed, on his second mission to Persia, that the -sightless youth, who had enjoyed such favour as a child, might meet us -on our advance, and receive, as he did in the notice and sympathy of -his early friend, all the consolation which could be administered to -one in his melancholy condition. - -FOOTNOTES: - -[123] Deevān-Beg. - -[124] Khoosh-Amedee. - -[125] Fatteh Ali Khan Noovee. - -[126] "Amma Keneezekee," the expression used by his majesty, means -literally--But a little lady. - -[127] Mehdee Ali Khan, a Persian gentleman, who had been deputed the -year before to Persia by Mr. Duncan, Governor of Bombay. - -[128] "Reesh-e-Seffeed," literally grey-beard, is the Persian term for -an elder. - -[129] Jonas Hanway was at Astrabad in 1744, during the rebellion of the -ancestor of the present king. - -[130] "Ket-khūdā-e-avvel." - -[131] "Kibla-e-Alem," is the universal term his subjects apply when -speaking to the king of Persia. Kibla is the point to which Mahomedans -turn when they pray: Alem signifies the world. - -[132] The Deriā-e-Noor, or sea of light, weighs 186 carats, and is -considered to be the diamond of the finest lustre in the world. The -Tāj-e-Māh, or "crown of the moon," is also a splendid diamond; it -weighs 146 carats. These two are the principal in a pair of bracelets, -valued at near a million sterling. Those in the crown are also of -extraordinary size and value. - -[133] "Tootee," is the Persian word for a parrot, a bird which is -prominent in Persian tales for its knowledge and habits of attachment. - -[134] Dil dāree tifl, dil dāree. - - - - -CHAPTER XIX. - - Progress of the Russians--Buonaparte--Second Visit to - Tullanca--King Abbas Meerzā--Reflections--Electrifying - Machine--Phantasmagoria--Ministers of the Persian Court--Mahomed - Hoosein Khan Mervee. - - -Ten years had elapsed since my first visit to the court of Persia, and -many changes had occurred, both in men and measures. The Russians, -within this short period, had advanced their frontier from the north -of the Caucasus to the banks of the Araxes, a space of above four -hundred miles. Buonaparte had laid his plans for chaining the bear -of Russia and the lion of Persia, with the design of harnessing them -to the his war-chariot, that he might drive in triumph over the rich -plains of India. His name was familiar to numbers in Persia, and some -few understood the character of his power. Among these was my shrewd -old friend Aga Mahomed Cāsim-Wālā,[135] of Isfahan, who is at once a -professor, a poet, a philosopher, and a very inquisitive politician. -"This Buonaparte," said he to me one morning, when I paid him a visit -in his apartment at the college, "is a wonderful man; he wields empires -as if they were clubs. After he has settled with Turkey, he will, -unless our king shapes his policy to his liking, give Persia a knock on -the head with Russia, and then make use of both to overthrow your power -in India. Happen what will," said old Aga Mahomed, "he is a magnificent -fellow, a perfect Faringee Chenghiz Khan."[136] - -I am treading on forbidden ground; I have nothing to say to politics: -if I had, this chapter might be more amusing. I could tell of French -and English schemes for harlequin-changes, which were to leave my -Persian friends no remains of barbarism but their beards! of Mahomedan -princes trained to be reformers, of the sudden introduction of the fine -arts, and of the roving tribes of Tartary and the wild mountaineers -of Fars becoming, by the proper use of a few cabalistical phrases, -disciplined regiments. These, and many similar transformations, -were meant to prove that we lived in an age when any instructed or -enlightened man might, if furnished with the necessary implements of -pen, ink, and paper, effect any given change, on any given nation, in -a few months. - -This was not the first time that such experiments had been tried in -Persia; for, besides a knowledge of the civil and military arts of -Europe, efforts had been made to teach the Seffavean monarchs and -their nobles to understand the laws, institutions, and governments -of the more civilized world. The sarcastic and penetrating Gibbon, -when speaking of the attempt, observes, "Chardin says that European -travellers have diffused among the Persians some ideas of the freedom -and mildness of our governments: they have done them a very ill -office." This may be too severe; but if instruction is of a character -to diminish happiness, without furthering improvement, he would be bold -who should call it a blessing. A medicine may be excellent in itself, -yet, from the peculiar habits and constitution of the patient, it may -act as a poison. These and many similar sentences of wisdom I have now -and then uttered, when talking about the proposed sudden regeneration -of the Eastern world, but I never could obtain a hearing. My plans of -slow and almost imperceptible change, which were not confined to the -teaching half a dozen individuals, but embraced a whole people in their -operation, have been ridiculed as proving nothing but the sluggishness -of my understanding. When I have pleaded experience, I have been -accused of giving that name to prejudice; my toleration of systems out -of my power to alter, and interwoven with every feeling, habit, and -enjoyment of the communities in which they prevail, has been referred -to my narrow views; and all my pretensions to discernment and judgment -have been called in question because I have persuaded myself, and -tried to persuade others, that Asiatics, though they are not so fair -as we are, though they are of a different religion, speak a different -language, and have neither made the same advances in science nor in -civilization, are, notwithstanding these disadvantages, not altogether -destitute of good and great qualities, both of head and heart. - -Liable as I am to such accusations, I must cautiously limit myself -to facts, which I know from observation, or have heard from persons -worthy of credit; but should my reader detect me in the sin of taking -a more favourable view of human nature than its merits, I shall hope -to be forgiven; while I pray that the stranger, who visits the land of -my nativity, may come to it with a mind disposed rather to dwell on -its green and fertile valleys, than upon its rugged rocks and bleak -mountains. May he find enough of sound and good feeling among its -inhabitants to make him look with indulgence on their failings and -excesses. If he quarrels with that luxury and refinement, which, by -supplying, multiply the wants of men; if he doubts the good of many of -the laws and institutions which belong to an artificial society, the -frame and workings of which the labour of a life would not enable him -to comprehend, may he contemplate it in a spirit of humility, which -rather leads him to question the correctness of his own judgment, than -to pronounce, on a superficial glance, that every thing is wrong, which -does not accord with his own habits and feelings. - -When the second mission reached his court, the King of Persia was -encamped at his summer-quarters of Sooltāneah, an extensive plain, -whose elevation gives it a pleasant temperature during the hot season. -The Elchee was welcomed, on his approach to the camp, by his old friend -Nou Rōz Khan, whose personal appearance was unchanged by the ten years -which had intervened since our last meeting. His manner, as usual, was -cordial and frank; and he seemed particularly delighted to inform the -Elchee of the king's continued favour. "His majesty," said Nou Rōz -Khan, "desires me to say that he will be delighted to see you, and bids -me assure you, that if you have met with any obstacles or difficulties -on this mission,[137] they have not been occasioned by him." - -The ceremonies of our approach to court, and of our visit to the king, -prince, and ministers, were exactly the same as on the first mission. -The king was, if possible, more friendly and gracious. Among other -proofs of personal favour, he insisted on bestowing a distinguished -mark of his regard on the Elchee, and the order of the Lion and Sun -(the arms of Persia) was created for that purpose.[138] The investiture -of this order took place on our visit of leave. Dresses of honour were -sent for the Elchee and his suite. When we came to the tent at the -entrance into the king's pavilion, we were met by one of the chief -ministers, and a fermān or royal mandate was read, conferring on the -Elchee the title of Khan or Lord, with the rank of Sipāh-Silār or -General. This fermān was then placed in his hat, it being the custom -for a Persian noble, on receiving any honorary title from his king, to -wear the patent of creation in his cap when he goes to court to return -thanks. After we were seated, his majesty congratulated the Elchee on -his accession of rank. "When you came here first," he said, "you were a -Captain; you are now a General in your own country; I have made you a -Khan and Sipāh-Silār in mine. At your next visit, which must be soon, I -shall expect you to be a Fermān-Fermāee or Ruler: but approach nearer." - -The Elchee rose, and went up to the throne, on which the king was -seated; and his majesty, taking up a diamond-star, began to pin it on -the Elchee's coat. It was evidently the first time the royal hands -had been so employed. "The king"--a title by which he often speaks -of himself--"the king," said he, "does not understand this kind of -business;" and he laughed heartily at his own awkwardness. However, he -would not allow any one to help him, and having at length accomplished -the task, he again congratulated the Elchee, saying, "You are now -confirmed in my service; I can show no higher favour than this. And -that star on your breast will convince all the world of the regard in -which the king holds you." - -Nothing was wanting to render this farewell audience kind and gracious. -His majesty, on our rising to take leave, expressed his hope of seeing -the Elchee again, saying, "Every second has a third;"[139] and when we -were fifty yards from the throne, and making our last bow, departing -from all usage, he exclaimed in a loud voice, to the Elchee, "Once more -may God preserve you." The courtiers looked amazed at this deviation -from established form; and the prime minister told the Elchee he ought -to value it far beyond all the honours conferred upon him. - -Enough has been said of the king: it remains to speak of the -heir-apparent. I one day accompanied the Elchee to a review of some -regular infantry, to which Abbas Meerzā had invited him, and at which -his highness commanded in person, and put the troops through all -their manoeuvres. When this review was over, he requested to see the -Elchee's escort, consisting of a select party of English dragoons, -some native cavalry from India, and a brigade of horse-artillery. He -expressed great admiration of the manner in which this small body went -through their evolutions, and said, with such models he trusted soon -to have a fine army. This hope the Elchee's answer did not encourage. -On a subsequent visit to the prince the topic was renewed; and I was -somewhat surprised to find the Elchee so little of a courtier as to -express the same sentiments to a prince, whose ears, it was evident, -had long been soothed by far different language. Abbas Meerzā listened -with great patience, but his uneasy feelings were evident. "Why, from -what you state," he observed, with much emotion, "I shall be an old man -before I can make any progress with my present plans; and after all, -they are likely to come to nothing." The Elchee said he was bound by -his regard for his highness to speak the truth. "I am much obliged to -you," answered the prince; "you think, I perceive, that the irregular -horse of Persia are the best defence of our country; but they can never -do what regular troops and cannon can." "But they can do much that -regular troops and cannon cannot," replied the Elchee. "That is true," -said the prince; and here ended the conversation. Neither party seemed -convinced; Abbas Meerzā continuing firm in his resolution to follow up -his plans of improvement, and the Elchee appearing equally satisfied -that these plans were nowise suited either to the present condition of -Persia or the character of its people. - -Abbas Meerzā was, at this time, a young prince of engaging manners, -handsome in person, and gifted with quickness and discernment. Owing to -his intercourse with Europeans, he had thrown off many of those habits -of state and ceremony which are so punctiliously observed by persons -of high rank in Persia. He was now exercising his battalions, and he -rode along the lines without an attendant. After the review, seeing -the Elchee's curricle with a pair of fine Arab horses, he desired to -have a drive. It was the first carriage of the kind he had ever been -in, and he was quite delighted. As the horses trotted along the road to -Teheran, he ordered his attendants to return. "Go," said he, laughing, -"and tell my father I am on my way to his capital with the Elchee." - -The curricle which had so delighted the prince was afterwards given -to the king, who was equally pleased with it; and still more with the -rapid movements and quick firing of two pieces of horse-artillery, -which were presented to him. "These," he said, "will destroy all my -enemies." The Elchee stated that what he had brought were only models, -which the ingenuity of his majesty's subjects would soon copy; and -suggested that it would be necessary to make roads for wheel carriages; -and roads, he added, if generally introduced, would be found alike -useful for pleasure, for commerce, and for war. - -The wisdom which prompted this advice was lauded to the skies. Roads -were admitted to be a great and obvious improvement, at once ornamental -and profitable to Persia. Plans for making and keeping them in repair -were required and furnished. The royal mandate, the Elchee was told, -should be issued immediately: and he was much pleased at the thought -of having given rise to a measure so good, and which he considered as -preparing the way for the permanent improvement of the country. But, -aware of the difficulties likely to obstruct the plan, he begged the -minister of finance, Ameen-ood-Douleh, to confine the first attempt to -the communication between Sooltāneah, Teheran, and Tebreez; and advised -that the results of this experiment should determine the further -prosecution of the scheme. - -The minister of finance, who was as remarkable for his plain manners -as for his plain sense, acknowledged the justice of this suggestion. -"But you know Persia," was his concluding significant remark; which -sufficiently informed the Elchee that his project of road-making, -however easy of execution, from the nature of the country and climate, -would share the fate of other schemes, which it was then the fashion -at the court of Persia to adopt, commence, and abandon. These highways -required labour; which labour, political economists would have told the -king, must be paid for by money, by provisions, or by the remission -of other exactions. But this information would have been of little -benefit, for I never knew a man, who, with all his good qualities, -would listen with so little patience to political economists, as the -king of kings, Fatteh Ali Shāh; for that monarch, besides the habits -and prejudices of his condition, has personally an insurmountable -objection to all measures which include disbursement. - -Time may do much with my Persian friends, but we must not expect to -hurry that tardy-paced worker of miracles. We may inspire a few with -that thirst for real glory, which desires to create, not to destroy; -others may be instructed in science; but even in those whom we may -elevate above their countrymen, early habits and national prejudices -will still be too strong for us. Their speeches and their writings -may exhibit enlightened minds; but their actions will follow their -established usages and ordinary habits; and their conduct will too -often be what it was formerly. Like the lady-cat in the fable, they -will be apt to spring from the board we have spread for them, whenever -a mouse shows itself. - -When the first mission was at Teheran, we found a chief there, -called Ali Mahomed Khan, who had been compelled, by some political -revolutions, to quit Cabool, and take refuge in Persia. He was a -man of rank, and had been received and treated with hospitality and -distinction by the king, who signified to the Elchee his wish, that he -should take this nobleman to India, whither he was desirous of going. -This request was the more readily complied with, as the Elchee had -found Ali Mahomed a pleasant, and apparently a sensible man. I became -very intimate with him; and when we arrived at Calcutta, I took great -pleasure in showing him that splendid capital of the British dominions -in the East. I pointed out the crowded shipping in its noble river; the -elegant streets thronged with carriages; the newly-erected palace of -its ruler; its college; the magnificent abodes of public officers and -wealthy merchants; all, in short, that could impress him with an idea -of the happy results of civilization. - -Seeing my friend quite delighted with the contemplation of this rich -scene, I asked him, with some exultation, what he thought of it? "A -wonderful place to plunder!"[140] was his reply; and his eyes glistened -as he made it, with anticipated enjoyment. - -I mentioned this anecdote to my Christian friend, Khojah Arratoon, our -treasurer. "Ay, ay," said the old man, "nature will come out. What you -have related verifies our Armenian proverb: they were preaching the -Gospel over the head of a wolf--'Stop!' said he; 'I see a flock of -sheep passing.'" - -I do not mean, in what I have here said, to condemn national efforts -to spread knowledge, nor to deny that such endeavours may in due -season produce happy effects; but such results will be retarded, -not accelerated, by all attempts at rapid and premature changes. In -endeavouring to effect these, we are often as absurd in our admiration -of individuals, to whom a few of our own favourite lights have been -imparted, as in our condemnation of those whom we conceive to remain -in their primitive darkness. We altogether forget that it is from the -general condition of the country that the character of the population -is chiefly formed. Hereditary and undisputed succession to the throne, -though it may not diminish the frequency of foreign wars, nor prevent -the shedding of human blood, gives an internal security, which leads -to the introduction of a system that enables such a state to have -efficient and permanent civil and military establishments; and it -also gives, to a great proportion of its subjects, a valuable leisure -to pursue science and literature, which gradually lead to further -improvements in society. But in countries like Persia all government -is personal; institutions and establishments rise and fall with the -caprice of a sovereign; and supposing him steady in his objects, still -the probability is, that they prosper and die with their founder; and -while their basis is so unstable, and their duration so uncertain, they -cannot be permanently efficient or useful. - -Revolutions of such a nature as we desire will work themselves into -form, when time changes men's sentiment, and ripens a nation for -them; but we too often, in the foolish pride of our knowledge, rush -towards the end, with little or no consideration about the means. In -our precocious plans, we cast the blame from that on which it ought -to rest, upon those we desire to reform. Because men continue, like -their ancestors, to live under an arbitrary monarch, and have not the -precise qualities upon which we value ourselves, we hasten to the -conclusion that they are slaves and barbarians, whom the force of habit -and prejudice alone saves from being as miserable as they are degraded. -Viewing them in this light, we waste a pity upon them which they -neither value nor understand; nor has it, if we analyze its grounds, -any just foundation. Though unacquainted with political freedom, though -superficial in science, and unlearned in Greek or Latin, they are not -without defences against injustice or despotism; and the very condition -of their society gives them, on all points affecting themselves, -their families, or friends, an intuitive quickness and clearness of -perception, which appears wonderful to men rendered dull, as it were, -by civilization. Neither are such nations deficient in those arts, -which are subservient to the subsistence, and promote the enjoyments -of man; and they are perhaps more alive than we improved beings to -those passions whence so much of our happiness and misery flow. - -I have travelled much, but have found little difference in the -aggregate of human felicity. My pride and patriotism have often been -flattered by the complaints and comparisons of the discontented; but I -have never met any considerable number of a tribe or nation, who would -have exchanged their condition for that of any other people upon the -earth. When I have succeeded, as I often did, in raising admiration -and envy, by dwelling upon the advantages of the British government, I -have invariably found that these feelings vanished, when I explained -more specifically the sacrifices of personal liberty, the restraints -of the law, and the burden of taxation, by which these advantages are -purchased. It was the old story of the Arab nurse, who could not endure -England because there were no date trees; and the King of Persia, who, -though feeling all the insecurity of his own crown, could not for a -moment tolerate the thoughts of wearing that of England, which would -have reduced him to only one wife! - -Such observations should have made me humble; but they did not. I -continued to value myself on my superiority; and when in Persia, was -as eager as any of our party to parade my knowledge, particularly in -science (which, by-the-bye, was my weak point), and to enjoy the wonder -which its display produced. - -One of the chief means of astonishing our Persian friends, on the first -mission, was an electrifying machine, with the effects of which we -surprised and alarmed all, from majesty itself to the lowest peasant. - -When it was exhibiting at Shiraz, for the gratification of Cherāgh Ali -Khan, who had come to pay the Elchee a visit, this formal minister -expressed himself satisfied with the sparks he saw elicited, and the -slight shocks which were given to others. He declined receiving one -himself, though he expressed a conviction that he was above being -startled, like those upon whom he had seen the experiment tried. This -great man, having very condescendingly taken a walk into the garden -to give his attendants an opportunity of seeing the effects of the -wonderful machine, returned while they were encircling the operator -(our doctor) and holding each other's hands in expectation of the -shock. It is, in Persia, deemed very indecorous for any one to have his -back turned when a man of rank enters the apartment; but for domestics -to behave in this manner is an almost inexpiable offence. The good -people of whom I speak were, however, in too breathless a state of -expectation to observe the approach of their lord, who, enraged by this -apparent rudeness, seized, with a most indignant air, the shoulder of -one of them, to take him to task. At this moment, whether by accident -or design has never yet been discovered, the shock was given. Each -quitted the hold of his neighbour, and started back; while Cherāgh Ali -Khan, who felt it the more from its being unexpected, staggered against -the wall, and looked the very picture of terror. - -The Elchee, who had entered the room with him, could not repress -his mirth. This was the signal for all; and even the lowest of the -domestics went away tittering at what had befallen their magnificent -master, who, after a short pause, during which dignity had a struggle -with good sense, allowed the latter to gain the victory, and laughed -like others at what had occurred. - -At Isfahan all were delighted with the electric machine, except one -renowned doctor and lecturer of the college, who, envious of the -popularity gained by this display of our superior science, contended -publicly, that the effects produced were moral, not physical--that -it was the mummery we practised, and the state of nervous agitation -we excited, which produced an ideal shock: but he expressed his -conviction, that a man of true firmness of mind would stand unmoved -by all we could produce out of our glass bottle, as he scoffingly -termed our machine. He was invited to the experiment, and declared his -readiness to attend at the next visit the Begler-Beg paid the Elchee. - -The day appointed soon arrived. The Begler-Beg came with a numerous -retinue, and amongst others the doctor, whom we used to call "Red -Stockings," from his usually wearing scarlet hose. He was, we found, -notwithstanding his learning and reputed science, often made an object -of mirth in the circles of the great and wealthy at Isfahan, to whom -he furnished constant matter of amusement, from the pertinacity with -which he maintained his dogmas. He had nearly, we were told, lost his -life the year before, by marching up to a large buck-antelope, which -was known to be vicious, but which, according to the theory of the -philosopher, was to be overawed by the erect dignity of man, provided -he was fearlessly approached. The consequence of this experiment -was different from what the theorist expected. The wild animal very -unceremoniously butted the doctor into a deep dry ditch in the field -where he was grazing, and the learned man was confined to his bed -nearly three months, during which, he had ample time to consider the -causes of this unlooked-for event. - -Though the above and similar instances might afford reason for -concluding, that Red Stockings, with all his philosophy, was not -overwise, I discovered that he maintained his ground in the first -society, by means common in Persia as in other countries. He was, in -fact, "a little of the fool,[141] and not too much of the honest." This -impression of his character, combined with his presumption, made us -less scrupulous in our preparations to render him an example for all -who might hereafter doubt the effects of our boasted electricity; and -indeed our Persian visitors seemed anxious that the effect should be -such as to satisfy the man who had dared us to the trial, that it was -physical, not moral. - -The philosopher, notwithstanding various warnings, came boldly up, -took hold of the chain with both hands, planted his feet firmly, shut -his teeth, and evidently called forth all his resolution to resist -the shock. It was given; and poor Red Stockings dropt on the floor as -if he had been shot. There was a momentary alarm: but on his almost -instant recovery, and the Elchee explaining that the effect had been -increased by the determination to resist it, all gave way to one -burst of laughter. The good-natured philosopher took no offence. He -muttered something about the re-action of the feelings after being -over-strained, but admitted there was more in the glass-bottle than he -had anticipated. - -As the Persians had become acquainted with electrical machines, by -their increased intercourse with Europeans, the Elchee, when on his -second mission, did not choose again to trust to one of them for -the entertainment of his friends. He purchased, therefore, for this -purpose, a large and excellent phantasmagoria, which was furnished with -numerous glasses; on these were painted spectres, with shapes monstrous -beyond what the poet's fancy ever bodied forth. - -With our phantasmagoria, old and young, rich and poor, were in -raptures. The prince at Shiraz was the first person of royal blood -to whom it was exhibited, and he declared his wonder and delight at -this extraordinary invention. Persons were instructed to exhibit it to -his ladies, who, we learned, were enchanted with its effects; and his -mother,[142] an able princess, who had long exercised supreme authority -over him and the province of Fars, declaring herself gratified beyond -measure at the wonders she had seen. - -What rendered the phantasmagoria more attractive, was the ingenuity -and talent of a young man from India,[143] who had charge of it. -Besides being an adept in exhibiting it, he made frames, and painted, -as occasion required, the glass he placed in them, with all kinds of -Persian figures; and part of the story told in the day was sometimes -exhibited at the Elchee's evening entertainments, which were often -attended by dignified persons, who had before withheld their presence -from regard to punctilious ceremony, but could not resist their -curiosity. Thus our phantasmagoria became an important implement of -diplomacy. - -The Prince of Persia was anxious to possess this treasure, but as its -fame had preceded the mission, it was not judged politic to disappoint -the excited expectations of majesty; our magical box therefore -accompanied us, and produced equal effects at the great court assembled -at Sooltāneah, as it had at that of Shiraz. - -The Elchee took particular pleasure, in the astonishment produced -by his phantasmagoria. I one day suggested that wise and grave men, -filling high stations, might expose themselves to ridicule from being -amused by such trifles, and employing them as means of amusing and -gratifying others. His quick reply was, "The man who is always wise, is -a fool! and he, above all others, is most foolish, who, entrenched in -forms and observances, neglects to use every honest means with which -human nature supplies him, to promote fair and honourable objects. -Besides," he added, "this amuses me, as much as any grown-up child -in Persia, and it is from my keen-sighted guests observing that my -enjoyment is real, that they are so much delighted. Were I to parade -my superiority, by denying myself this, and other gratifications, -which may be deemed trifling by men of measured manners, they would -also be reserved and dignified, and we should become a group of those -formalists, whom our great philosopher[144] has described, as always -using shifts and perspectives, to make superficies seem body that hath -depth and bulk." - -After this answer, in which those that know him as well as I do will -discover that the Elchee had succeeded in persuading himself, that his -natural love of amusement was a valuable diplomatic quality; I, as a -true follower of a mission, found it necessary to acquiesce in his -reasoning, and must, therefore, recommend phantasmagorias, or something -similar, as of essential importance to the success of all future -embassies to Persia! - -I found, on this second mission, that the duties of Hajee Ibrahim -had, at his death, been divided amongst several ministers. My old -friend, Hajee Mahomed Hoosein, who had been so kind to us on the first -mission, when he was Begler-Beg of Isfahan, was now, under the title -of Ameen-ood-Douleh,[145] at the head of the finance and revenue -department. He had risen from a low origin, that of a small shopkeeper -in Isfahan. The Persians, who delight in the wonderful, spoke of his -riches as immense, and they referred the origin of that wealth (which -enabled him to preserve the favour of the king, by satisfying his -cupidity) to his having obtained part of the royal treasure, which -was lost at Isfahan by Jaffier Khan Zend, when he fled, in the year -1785, in such confusion from that city, that not only his baggage -and treasures, but the ensigns of royalty, were plundered by its -inhabitants. - -This account may have some foundation, but inquiry and observation -satisfied me, that the wealth of this sensible minister arises out of -those more honourable sources which his industry and good management -have created. Suffice it, as a proof of this fact, to state, that every -province under him is prosperous; and the city of Isfahan has more than -doubled its inhabitants, and quadrupled its manufacture of rich silk -and brocade, during the twenty years that he has been its governor. - -Hajee Mahomed Hoosein[146] is a man of great simplicity of manners, -and neither has, nor pretends to, any of that wit, or brilliancy in -conversation, for which many of the Persians are so distinguished. -He is rather dull in company, and appears what he really is, a plain -man of business. A friend of mine one day breakfasting with him, was -surprised to hear him say to a poor man, who brought a pair of slippers -to sell, "Sit down my honest friend, and take your breakfast; we will -bargain about the slippers afterwards." - -This admission of inferiors to their society at meals is not, however, -uncommon with men of rank in Persia. It arises out of a sense of the -sacred duties of hospitality, and out of parade, if they have not -the reality of that humility so strongly inculcated in the Koran. -Besides, their character and condition often disposes them to relax -with those beneath them, and even with menial servants, whom they -admit to a familiarity which at first view appears contradictory to -those impressions we have of their haughty character. I was one day -almost reproached by Aga Meer, on account of the difference which he -observed in our behaviour to those of our countrymen, who were below -us in condition. "You speak of your consideration for inferiors," -said he to me, "but you keep them at a much greater distance than we -do. Is this your boasted freedom?" I told him that it was exactly -our boasted freedom, which compelled us to the conduct we observed. -"You are so classified in Persia," said I, "that you can descend -from your condition as you like; a man below you will never presume -on your familiarity so far as to think himself, for a moment, on the -same level with those, who are so entirely distinct from his class -in the community. In England we are all equal in the eye of the law, -the rights of every man are the same; the differences which exist are -merely those of fortune, which place us in the relation of master and -servant; but where there is no other distinction, we are obliged to -preserve that with care, or all forms and respects would soon be lost." - - -The good Meerzā admitted that there might be some truth in what I -stated. "But yours is a strange country," he said; "I shall never quite -understand its ways and usages." - -Meerzā Sheffee,[147] who styles himself Premier, may be called the -minister of the court; he is a veteran in all its arts, intrigues, and -corruptions. Good-humoured, quick, and flexible, he has managed to -steer his crooked course through a long life, and still retains his -head and his eyes, though both have, no doubt, been often in danger. -The king is attached to him, as an old servant of the family. - -Rizā Koolee is also an old servant of the Kajir princes. He is a man of -talent; his manners are peculiarly pleasing, and he is one of the most -eloquent persons I have heard in Persia. I had not the same opportunity -of becoming intimately acquainted with this minister, as with others; -but, if common report is to be believed, he has few superiors in good -sense or good feeling. He has evinced none of that precocious ambition -which is so common with his countrymen. He is reputed to be a modest -as well as a deserving man, and the favour and fortune he has attained -have not been acquired by means which could make him enemies. By -not pressing into the front rank, he has long combined safety with -advancement.[148] - -These are the principal ministers of the king; but Meerzā Boozoorg, -who has long presided, under the title of Kāim Mekām, over the councils -of the heir-apparent, may be said to have much more influence than -any of them in the political department. He has greater experience, -and understands the foreign interests of his country, better than any -other minister; and joins to an equal temper, a thorough knowledge of -the nature of his own situation, and the characters of those it is -his duty to serve and obey. He amused me one day, by telling me the -rule by which he had hitherto escaped, and trusted he should continue -to escape, the common fate of Persian ministers. "I never," said he, -"accumulate money or property; I have a small inheritance in land, -which has been in my family for centuries; this cannot, in accordance -with usage, be confiscated: and as to every thing else, I spend it as -I get it. This principle is known; and the king," he added, "often -laughs, and says, 'I should not gain one piastre by the death and -plunder of that extravagant fellow, Meerzā Boozoorg.'"[149] - -I must not forget in this place to mention Meerzā Abd-ool-Wahhāb, -who has long been, and still continues, the Moonshee-ool-Memālik, or -chief letter-writer of the state; and well he merits his eminence. I -recognised his talent for the sublime, from the difficulty I had in -discovering his meaning, amidst the clouds of tropes and metaphors -with which it is always enveloped. That, however, is the taste of his -country; and the man must have merit, who stands acknowledged to be -the first in an art, in which all Persians of liberal education strive -to excel. His character, in other respects, is that of a very sensible -and respectable man; though an old Moollāh, a friend of mind, shook his -head when I praised him, and whispered, "All you say may be true, but -he is an inveterate Soofee." - -Among the acquaintances I formed at this second visit, there was -none that interested me in any degree so much as Mahomed Hoosein -Khan of Merv, from whom I heard a short but affecting account of the -vicissitudes of his eventful life. The facts he narrated exhibit so -much of Asiatic character in its best and worst lights, that they must -be acceptable to the reader. Of their correctness there can be no -doubt, being alike confirmed by the internal evidence of their truth, -the corroborating statements of contemporaries, and the high character -of the narrator of his own extraordinary adventures. - -The city of Merv,[150] during the reign of the Seffavean monarchs, -was considered the most important frontier post of Persia; and in the -reign of Tāmāsp the second, its defence was intrusted to the valour of -a branch of the tribe of Kajir. As the strength of the nation decayed, -the chiefs of this tribe were left, almost unsupported, to resist the -attacks of the Tartar tribes on the Oxus, who made annual inroads upon -them. They received for some years casual aid from the Afghāns of -Cabool; but that government also fell into confusion; and Byrām Ali -Khan, the father of Mahomed Hoosein, had for several years to contend -against that extraordinary bigot, Beggee Jān,[151] who had, by an union -of fanaticism and wisdom, consolidated the divided tribes of this part -of Tartary into one government, of which Bokhara was the capital. - - -The actions of Byrām Ali, though given on the most authentic records, -appear more like a romance than a history. Suffice it here to say, he -closed, on the banks of the Oxus, a life marked by the most gallant -achievements, leaving his son the city and walls of Merv (for all its -fields were desolate), and the name and example of a father almost -worshipped by his soldiers, and as much praised when dead, as dreaded -while living, by the enemies of his country. - -Mahomed Hoosein Khan, though quite a youth, defended what remained of -his inheritance with an unsubdued spirit; which obtained from every one -an acknowledgment, that the son was worthy of his renowned sire. But -all his struggles were unavailing, against the overwhelming numbers of -the Oosbegs, who at last reduced the city to such a state of famine and -distress, that its inhabitants insisted upon their chief surrendering -to a power which it was hopeless any longer to oppose. He was carried -with all his family to Bokhara. I shall give the remainder of his story -in his own words, as nearly as they can be recollected from his plain -but minute relation. - -"Beggee Jān was anxious I should adopt his creed, that of a Soofee, and -abandon what he deemed the errors of the Sheäh faith. Circumstances -compelled me so far to conform, that he expected my conversion, and for -some time treated me and my family with respect, and even kindness. - -"During a period of some years, having no other employment, I applied -myself to literature, and read all the histories I could find. I should -have continued to spend a contented, if not a happy life, in such -pursuits, had this tranquillity not been interrupted by the flight of -my nephew, Bākir Khan, to the king of Persia. I was considered as the -contriver of his escape, and from that moment was looked upon as an -enemy of Beggee Jān. - -"Being aware of the suspicions he entertained, I one day addressed him -in open court. I reminded him of his having sworn to treat me and mine -with kindness, and of the peculiar obligations which an oath should -impose upon a man of his sanctity. I bade him dismiss his suspicions, -and act as he had hitherto done; or confirm them by an examination of -facts, and to treat me as a criminal if he found that I had in any way -acted contrary to my word, or to that honour which belonged to me as -the chief of a tribe, and a native of Merv, whose inhabitants had ever -been celebrated for strict regard to their pledged faith. - -"Seeing the manly openness of this address had an effect upon his -nobles and attendants, the old hypocrite arose from his seat, came -forward, and kissed my forehead, while he thanked me for speaking -to him as I had done, and promised to dismiss from his mind every -suspicion regarding me. He was, however, most insincere, and had no -wish but to destroy me. - -"It would be tiresome," said Mahomed Hoosein, "to repeat all the -artifices Beggee Jān used, to enable him to effect this object without -loss of character. Finding, however, that I was on my guard, and that -I pursued a line of conduct which gave him no hopes of entangling -me in his toils, he determined to seize and put me to death. It was -long before I could bring myself to think that a person of his wary -character would have recourse to unjustifiable violence; nor was it -until his guards had surrounded my house, and were bursting open the -gates, that I could believe he would proceed to such extremities. My -followers, when this occurred, entreated leave to resist the attack. -'Let us at least die in warm blood,' they said. I forbade them to stir, -adding, that it was perhaps only my life he sought, and my family -and friends might be spared. At this moment the voice of Beggee Jān -was heard, exclaiming, 'Bring me the head of Mahomed Hoosein Khan.' -Satisfied of his object, I gave way to the earnest entreaties of all -around me, and fled through a small back gate of the house, accompanied -only by my nephew, Ibrahim Beg. I took this step, not so much from the -hope of saving my own life, as that my escape would prevent further -outrage to my family. It had the desired effect; for on its being -stated that I was gone, and a strict search confirming the assertion, -the troops were withdrawn, and sent with others in pursuit of one -against whom their sovereign had now become perfectly furious. - -"The detail of my journeys and sufferings, from the hour of my escape, -till I found refuge in Persia, would fill volumes. I shall make it -as short as possible; for though I dwell on some parts of the scene -with pleasing recollections, there are others which I cannot think of -without horror. However, God's will be done; let his glorious name be -praised for all he does; it is not for blind mortals to complain." -After these pious ejaculations the Khan proceeded with his narration. - -"I had only three friends in the town on whom I could depend. I -proceeded to the door of one, but he was asleep, and I durst not make -the noise necessary to awake him. When I came to the house of the -second, I learnt that Beggee Jān had sent for him: and the third, I was -informed by his domestics, having heard of my situation, had hastened -to the scene, in the expectation of contributing to my escape. - -"Hopeless and wearied, I wandered all that night about the streets of -Bokhara, and a hundred times heard it proclaimed that ten thousand -pieces of gold should be the reward of him who brought me to Beggee Jān. - -"It was towards morning when I went out of the gate of the city, -accompanied only by my nephew. We concealed ourselves in a corn field -till the evening, and then, though worn out with hunger, anxiety, -and fatigue, we took the road leading to Sheher-Sebz.[152] I was -bare-footed, and unaccustomed to walk; but my situation gave me a -power of exertion beyond what I could have believed; and after a most -distressing and dangerous journey we arrived at that city, the ruler -of which, Niyāz Ali, moved by the account of my sufferings, treated me -with kindness and distinction. - -"I remained six months at Sheher-Sebz, with a heart painfully anxious -for my family; but knowing that I was pursued by the rancorous hatred -of Beggee Jān, and being satisfied that though Niyāz Ali had not -the means to defend me, he would never be so base as to give me up, -I chose to relieve him from the embarrassment my presence created. -When I intimated my intention to leave him, he expressed much regret, -as he feared that my powerful enemy might succeed in seizing me. He -suggested, as the best chance of escape, that I should go to Narbotta -Beg, the Prince of Ourat Teppah, which I accordingly did. - -"Soon after my departure, Beggee Jān attacked Sheher-Sebz, and demanded -that I should be given up; but the generous Niyāz Ali concealed my -having left him, till he heard of my safe arrival at Ourat Teppah, when -he announced my flight, and the attack of his city was abandoned. - -"After remaining some months at Ourat Teppah, I desired to leave -it, but the prince would not consent, until he heard that my enemy -was secretly employing agents to murder his guest. His knowledge of -the devotion of the Oosbegs to their sovereign made him have the -most serious fears for my life and his own honour, if I continued -within reach of these assassins. To save both, he had recourse to an -extraordinary expedient. - -"He took my nephew and me with him on one of his hunting parties, and -privately asked me in what direction I wished to proceed. I told him -I desired to visit the court of Zemān Shāh. He immediately (without -informing any one) placed us in two large trunks, which were put on -camels and sent away as merchandise on the road towards Thibet.[153] - -"After we were beyond the reach of Beggee Jān we visited many towns -in Tartary; but on our arrival at Thibet, I learnt that Abdūlla Khan, -governor of Cashmere, had rebelled, and the country was consequently -in a state of confusion. I was therefore compelled to take the road -of Bedekshan, and the mountains of Siyāh Posh,[154] dressed as a -Fakeer; and under this disguise I arrived safe at Cabool, after having -encountered a thousand distresses and dangers. - -"When I arrived at this city I did not deem it prudent to reveal -myself. Zemān Shāh and his vizier were gone to Herat, and Fatteh Ali -Shāh, king of Persia, was at Meshed. I continued a poor wandering -mendicant for some time in Cabool. I often saw noblemen of high rank, -with whom I was well acquainted, without their having the slightest -recollection of their former friend. At this period I had almost died -from want of food; and my distresses were increased by my nephew being -afflicted with worms in his feet, which disabled him from walking. I -had to support him along from place to place, when I was myself sinking -with hunger and fatigue. I one day went to the house of an old friend -to ask relief, but he was not at home. His servants directed me to the -cāravānserāi of Aga Mahomed of Koom. I went thither, and stopped near -the room in which was lodged Hajee Hoosein Abeer, a merchant whom I -had formerly employed and favoured. I stayed there some time, till, -mistaking me for a beggar, he bade me go away, saying he had nothing -to give me. I thought he recognized, but would not acknowledge me in -my distress, and I went away with a heavy but proud heart from the -door of a man whom, I immediately afterwards found, was at the very -time disbursing large sums on agents, whom he had sent in different -directions to ascertain my fate, in order to contribute to my relief. - -"Having seated myself at some distance from the cāravānserāi, a native -of Meshed passed, who had long been in my service. He no sooner cast -his eyes upon me, than he recognized his old master in spite of my -disguise, and threw himself at my feet. The moment he arose, he -hastened to the room of Hajee Hoosein Abeer, who instantly returned -with him; and after thanking God for this accidental discovery of -one to whom he owed such benefits, he begged me to accompany him to -his apartment. From that moment my sufferings were at an end. I was -provided with clothes, horses, and every thing that I required, and -proceeded towards Candahar in the character of a merchant; having -strictly enjoined those who knew me, not to disclose my name or rank. - -"I thought at first of waiting at Candahar till Zemān Shāh reached that -city, and of trying what could be effected through his aid. I heard, -however, that he had proceeded from Herat to Cabool, by the upper road, -through the country of the Hazarrah. - -"As I observed, from the way in which affairs were conducted that the -government of this prince had no stability, I resolved on proceeding -to the court of Teheran; but not wishing to give the court of Cabool -any just ground of offence, I wrote to the vizier Wefā-dār Khan, and -gave him a particular account of all that had befallen me from the -time of my escape from Bokhara till that moment. Zemān Shāh commanded -his minister to desire me to stay at Candahar until his arrival. But -I learnt the disposition of the court by the first two words of the -vizier's answer: these were, "Hookm-e-alee," or (it is) the high -command; a style of address suited only to an inferior. The instant I -read this expression I determined to leave a country where my reduced -condition made men presume to treat me with such arrogance. - -"When preparing to quit Candahar, the road was shut by the advance of -the prince Mahmood, who took the city, and I was plundered of all I had -brought from Cabool, as were also the merchants with whom I associated. -I remained at that city a short time after this event; but seeing -nothing in the character of Mahmood that gave me confidence, I did -not discover myself to him, but set out as soon as I could with some -merchants, and, travelling through Seestan, arrived at the fort of Khyn -in Khorassan, where I was kindly and hospitably treated by its chief, -who was an old friend of my family. He appointed a mehmandar to see me -safe to Teheran, and sent an express to announce my arrival to the king -of Persia, who instantly invited me to his court. - -"Before I arrived at Teheran, I learnt that the cruel tyrant of -Bokhara, enraged at my escape, had first imprisoned my family in -wells,[155] and afterwards put every one of them to death,[156] -upbraiding them with my having taken refuge in Persia, a country -towards which he ever entertained a spirit of the most inveterate -hostility. - -"I proceeded," said the Khan, hardly able to conclude his narration, -"with a broken heart, to the capital of Persia, where the noble and -generous conduct of this king affords me all the consolation I can -receive in this world, in which I am, though apparently surrounded with -every luxury and every honour, a wretched and desolate man." - -The forlorn and fugitive chief of Merv was received at the court of -Persia with every mark of regard and honour to which he would have been -entitled as lord of that once famous city and in the full zenith of his -power. The king went into mourning for his family, and every Omrah of -the Kajir tribe was ordered to pay him a visit of condolence; and even -Abbas Meerzā was desired by his father to wait upon and console the -afflicted stranger and guest. - -On the death of Hajee Ibrahim, the king is said to have desired to -raise Mahomed Hoosein Khan to the rank of prime minister, but he -declined the dangerous dignity, declaring he had made a vow never again -to enter upon affairs of state, unless an opportunity was afforded him -of wreaking his vengeance on the merciless ruler of Bokhara, by sacking -that capital. - -Mahomed Hoosein Khan continues his habits of study, which, added -to the information he has acquired in his travels, renders his -conversation at once agreeable and instructive. His conduct, since he -came into Persia, has obtained him great respect from all classes. -There are some few who accuse him of intriguing, and assert, that -notwithstanding his professed vow, he secretly mixes in matters of -state: but such suspicions and accusations are probably the consequence -of his continuing to enjoy so great a share of the royal favour. His -ostensible station is that of the Nedeem, or chosen companion of the -sovereign, and as such he is almost in constant attendance upon the -king's person, whose whole conduct towards this unfortunate chief does -equal honour to his head and heart.[157] - -FOOTNOTES: - -[135] My old friend Cāsim-Wālā died about five years after this -interview. Among other occupations of his latter years was that of -preparing for himself a place of interment in the Chehār-Bāgh of -Isfahan. He built a small but handsome mausoleum, with a tomb in the -centre, for the top of which a fine marble slab was obtained from -Yezd; and he not only wrote his own epitaph on this stone, but had it -engraved, and every way finished, with the exception of the date of -his death. Near the mausoleum he made a fountain and flower garden, -with bowers and seats; and a gentleman who saw him a short time before -he died, tells me this spot became his favourite resort, where he -delighted to receive and converse with his friends and disciples. - -[136] Faringee, as has been before remarked, implies European. - -[137] This observation alluded to some embarrassments that had arisen -in consequence of two British envoys, one from England, and the other -India, meeting at the court of Persia. - -[138] Nothing can be more curious than the fact of Mahomedan princes -creating honours of knighthood to confer distinction on Christians. -The usage commenced with the court of Constantinople, and was followed -by that of Teheran. The King of Persia created the order of the Sun -for General Gardanne, the ambassador from Buonaparte. This order was -offered to Sir Harford Jones, envoy from the King of England, but was -declined on account of the circumstances attending its origin. It was -subsequently pressed upon the acceptance of the Elchee, but he deemed -it proper to follow the example of the envoy of the King of England. -The King of Persia determined, however, as he said, that his first -European friend should wear an order of his creation, and instituted -that of the Lion and Sun, which have been from very ancient times the -arms of Persia. - -[139] The number three is deemed fortunate in Persia as elsewhere. - -[140] "Ajeb jāhee berāee chappau!" literally, a wonderful place for a -foray! - -[141] "_Poco di matto_" is deemed by the Italians an essential quality -in a great man's companion. - -[142] This remarkable lady, who for a long period might be said to -govern Fars, died three years ago of the cholera. - -[143] Mr. Sundt, an Anglo-Indian. - -[144] Bacon. - -[145] This title means, the security of the state. - -[146] This minister died three years ago. - -[147] This minister is dead since the journal was written from which -this is taken. - -[148] Since this journal was written he fell into disgrace and died, -after being some time minister to the Prince Regent of Fars. - -[149] This old and able minister died lately of the cholera. - -[150] Merv is the ancient Antiochia Margiana. It was founded by -Alexander and became the capital of one of his successors, Antiochus -Nicator. - -[151] For an account of this remarkable ruler, see History of Persia, -vol. ii. p. 243. - -[152] Sheher-Sebz means the Verdant City, a name given by Timoor to the -ancient city of Kesh, which was the place of his birth. It lies about -130 miles direct east of Bokhara. - -[153] Hajee Mahomed Hoosein Khan has written an account of this -extraordinary journey, and of the countries he passed through. - -[154] For an account of this remarkable people, see Elphinstone's -Cabool. - -[155] Imprisonment in dry wells is very common in some parts of Tartary. - -[156] Thirty-eight persons were put to death, of whom eleven were sons, -brothers, and nephews. - -Such of the women of his family as were not killed were given away to -persons of inferior condition; a brutal and degrading usage practised -in Persia, as well as Tartary, in cases where it is desired to disgrace -as well as punish men of high rank. - -[157] Mahomed Hoosein Khan of Merv has finished his earthly career -since this was written. - - - - -CHAPTER XX. - - Departure from Sooltāneah--Tebreez--Climate--Lake of Oormeah--Ahmed - the Cobbler. - - -Though delighted to turn towards home, the joy at our departure from -the royal camp was not unmingled with regret, at taking leave, probably -for the last time, of many of our Persian friends. The king's attention -to the Elchee had been most flattering, and we had all participated in -the royal favour. Fatteh Ali Shāh had, indeed, with all due allowances -for other motives, evinced on this occasion sentiments and feelings -which did him honour as a man as well as a sovereign. - -We went from Sooltāneah to Tebreez, which has for many years been the -residence of the heir-apparent, Abbas Meerzā. Tebreez is celebrated -as one of the most healthy cities in Persia, and it is on this ground -alone that we can account for its being so often rebuilt, after its -repeated demolition by earthquakes. It is seldom free, even for a -twelvemonth, from slight shocks; and it is little more than thirty -years since it was levelled with the ground, by one of these terrible -convulsions of nature. - -I was more surprised at the salubrity of this town, from knowing the -great extremes of heat and cold to which it is subject, having obtained -from a friend who had resided there during the whole of the preceding -year, a most accurate diary of the various changes of its climate. -From this it appeared, that on the twentieth of October there was a -heavy fall of snow, which did not however remain long upon the ground; -the weather again became mild, and there was no excessive cold until -the middle of December, from which period till the end of January -Fahrenheit's thermometer, when exposed to the air at night, never rose -above zero, and in the house, at mid-day, it was seldom above 18°. - -January was by far the coldest month; during it, the water is described -as becoming almost instantaneously solid in the tumblers upon the -dining table, and the ink often freezing in the inkstand, although the -table was quite close to the fire. For at least a fortnight not an egg -was to be had, all being split by the cold. Some bottles of wine froze, -although covered with straw, and many of the copper ewers were split by -the expansion of the water when frozen in them. - -According to this diary, the weather became comparatively mild towards -the end of February; but it appears that here, as in England, a - - "Lingering winter chills the lap of May;" - -for on the first of that month there was a heavy fall of snow, with -such cold, that all the promise of the spring was destroyed. Of the -heat that ensued, and the sudden and great changes to which Tebreez is -subject, we had abundant proof; in the month of June, the range of the -thermometer being usually, within the twenty-four hours, from 56° to -94°, a difference of 38°. - -The extreme heat of summer causes most of the houses in Tebreez to be -built so as to admit the air during that season; but the architects of -Persia fall far short of their brethren in Europe, in forming plans by -which the cool air can be admitted in summer and excluded in winter. -This partly accounts for the effects of the cold to which I have -alluded; but the city of Tebreez, and many other parts of Aderbejan, -and still more of the neighbouring province of Kūrdistan, though -nowhere beyond the fortieth degree of latitude, are, from their great -elevation, subject to extreme cold. In the latter country I found, on -the morning of the seventeenth of August, ice half an inch thick on a -basin of water standing in my tent. - -During the few days we remained at Tebreez I was in continual -attendance upon the Elchee, who was engaged in inspecting the state -and equipment of the newly-formed regular troops of Persia. The day -before our departure he had had a long interview with Abbas Meerzā, who -appeared to expect that what he had seen of his military improvements -would alter his sentiments as to the policy of the change. This, -however, was not the case; the arguments before urged were repeated: -and, though every credit was given to the young and ardent prince for -the surprising progress he had made, the Elchee still contended that it -must be dangerous for a country to make its armies more tangible to an -enemy, until certain of being his equal in the field of battle. - -In the course of their conversation upon this subject, the Elchee -related to the prince what the late minister, Hajee Ibrahim,[158] had -told him, of the sentiments and designs of that able monarch, Aga -Mahomed Khan, when a large army of Russians, under Valerian Zuboff, -crossed the Araxes, and encamped on the plain of Mogam, in the month of -November, 1796. - -Notwithstanding the severity of the season, Aga Mahomed Khan made every -preparation to resist the threatened invasion. He assembled the leaders -of his army, and told them that the Russians had presumed, during his -absence in Khorassan, to invade the opposite frontier of his dominions. -"But my valiant warriors," he added, "shall be led against them, and -we will, by the blessing of God, charge their celebrated lines of -infantry and batteries of cannon, and cut them to pieces with our -conquering swords." The chiefs applauded the heroic resolution of their -sovereign, and promised to support him with their lives. When they were -gone, the monarch directed Hajee Ibrahim to approach, and asked him -if he had heard what he said to the military commanders. The minister -said he had. "And do you think," said he, "I will do what I have told -them?" "Undoubtedly, if it is your majesty's pleasure," was the reply. -"Hajee," said Aga Mahomed Khan, half angry, "have I been mistaken? are -you also a fool? Can a man of your wisdom believe I will ever run my -head against their walls of steel, and expose my irregular army to be -destroyed by their cannon and disciplined troops? I know better. Their -shot shall never reach me; but they shall possess no country beyond -its range. They shall not know sleep; and, let them march where they -choose, I will surround them with a desert." - -From Tebreez, our first march of fifteen miles was to Khoosroo-Shāh, a -village situated in a beautiful valley, where we remained for a day, -admiring the scenery, and enjoying the cool shade of the surrounding -groves and gardens. In one of the latter our mehmandar gave us a -sumptuous breakfast. - -Our second day's journey brought us in sight of the lake of Oormeah, -which is of considerable extent. We examined a marble quarry near its -shore, which had not been worked since the time of Nadir Shāh. The -Persians wished us to believe that the peculiar quality of the water -of the lake, by mixing with the soil, formed the marble, which they -declared was soft when first cut, but became hard from exposure to the -sun. One of our party, who was a geologist, endeavoured to prove to -them that this belief was quite erroneous, by explaining the nature of -the strata of this quarry, as well as the composition of the marble; -but his knowledge was evidently most unpopular with the audience he -had gathered round him, and they continued as completely satisfied as -they had been before his scientific demonstrations, that the marble was -formed in the manner related by their fathers. - -The lake of Oormeah is computed to be three hundred miles in -circumference. It is very clear, but salt, and has a sulphureous smell. -We were assured that no fish or any living creature is to be found -in this great expanse of water, which one of the learned men of our -mission informed me was the Spauto of Strabo, and the Marcianus of -Ptolemy. - -From our encampment near the shore of this famous lake to the city of -Mārāgā is eighteen miles: we made this march at night. Moollāh Adeenah, -the story-teller of his majesty, was one of our party. The Elchee -asked him to beguile the weariness of our road with a tale. "How many -fersekhs long do you wish it?" was his reply. "At least five," was the -answer. "I can exactly suit you," said the Moollāh; "you shall have -Ahmed the cobbler." I could not help laughing at this mode of measuring -a tale; but I was assured it was a common custom, arising out of the -calculation professed story-tellers were compelled to make of the -leisure of their hearers. All further remarks upon this usage were put -an end to, by Moollāh Adeenah desiring us to be silent and attentive: -his wish being complied with, he commenced as follows: - -"In the great city of Isfahan lived Ahmed the cobbler, an honest and -industrious man, whose wish was to pass through life quietly; and he -might have done so, had he not married a handsome wife, who, although -she had condescended to accept of him as a husband, was far from being -contented with his humble sphere of life. - -"Sittāra, such was the name of Ahmed's wife, was ever forming foolish -schemes of riches and grandeur: and though Ahmed never encouraged them, -he was too fond a husband to quarrel with what gave her pleasure: an -incredulous smile or a shake of the head, was his only answer to her -often-told daydreams; and she continued to persuade herself, that she -was certainly destined to great fortune. - -"It happened one evening, while in this temper of mind, that she went -to the Hemmām, where she saw a lady retiring dressed in a magnificent -robe, covered with jewels, and surrounded by slaves. This was the very -condition Sittāra had always longed for, and she eagerly inquired the -name of the happy person, who had so many attendants and such fine -jewels. She learned it was the wife of the chief astrologer to the -king. With this information she returned home. Her husband met her at -the door, but was received with a frown; nor could all his caresses -obtain a smile or a word; for several hours she continued silent, and -in apparent misery; at length she said: - -"'Cease your caresses; unless you are ready to give me a proof that you -do really and sincerely love me.' - -"'What proof of love,' exclaimed poor Ahmed, 'can you desire, which I -will not give?' - -"'Give over cobbling; it is a vile, low trade, and never yields more -than ten or twelve dinars a day. Turn astrologer! your fortune will be -made, and I shall have all I wish, and be happy.' - -"'Astrologer!' cried Ahmed, 'astrologer! Have you forgotten who I -am--a cobbler, without any learning--that you want me to engage in a -profession which requires so much skill and knowledge?' - -"'I neither think nor care about your qualifications,' said the enraged -wife: 'all I know is, that if you do not turn astrologer immediately, -I will be divorced from you to-morrow.' - -"The cobbler remonstrated, but in vain. The figure of the astrologer's -wife, with her jewels and her slaves, had taken complete possession of -Sittāra's imagination. All night it haunted her; she dreamt of nothing -else, and on awaking declared she would leave the house, if her husband -did not comply with her wishes. What could poor Ahmed do? He was no -astrologer, but he was dotingly fond of his wife, and he could not -bear the idea of losing her. He promised to obey; and having sold his -little stock, bought an astrolabe, an astronomical almanac, and a table -of the twelve signs of the zodiac. Furnished with these he went to the -market-place, crying 'I am an astrologer! I know the sun, and the moon, -and the stars, and the twelve signs of the zodiac; I can calculate -nativities; I can foretel every thing that is to happen!' - -"No man was better known than Ahmed the cobbler. A crowd soon gathered -round him. 'What, friend Ahmed,' said one, 'have you worked till -your head is turned?' 'Are you tired of looking down at your last,' -cried another, 'that you are now looking up at the planets?' These -and a thousand other jokes assailed the ears of the poor cobbler, who -notwithstanding continued to exclaim that he was an astrologer, having -resolved on doing what he could to please his beautiful wife. - -"It so happened that the king's jeweller was passing by. He was in -great distress, having lost the richest ruby belonging to the crown. -Every search had been made to recover this inestimable jewel, but to -no purpose; and as the jeweller knew he could no longer conceal its -loss from the king, he looked forward to death as inevitable. In this -hopeless state, while wandering about the town, he reached the crowd -around Ahmed, and asked what was the matter. 'Don't you know Ahmed the -cobbler?' said one of the bystanders, laughing; 'he has been inspired, -and is become an astrologer.' - -"A drowning man will catch at a broken reed: the jeweller no sooner -heard the sound of the word astrologer, than he went up to Ahmed, told -him what had happened, and said, 'If you understand your art, you must -be able to discover the king's ruby. Do so, and I will give you two -hundred pieces of gold. But if you do not succeed within six hours, -I will use all my influence at court to have you put to death as an -impostor.' - -"Poor Ahmed was thunderstruck. He stood long without being able to -move or speak, reflecting on his misfortunes and grieving, above all, -that his wife, whom he so loved, had, by her envy and selfishness, -brought him to such a fearful alternative. Full of these sad thoughts, -he exclaimed aloud, 'Oh woman, woman! thou art more baneful to the -happiness of man than the poisonous dragon of the desert!' - -"The lost ruby had been secreted by the jeweller's wife, who, -disquieted by those alarms which ever attend guilt, sent one of her -female slaves to watch her husband. This slave, on seeing her master -speak to the astrologer, drew near; and when she heard Ahmed, after -some moments of apparent abstraction, compare a woman to a poisonous -dragon, she was satisfied that he must know every thing. She ran to -her mistress, and, breathless with fear, cried, 'You are discovered, -my dear mistress, you are discovered by a vile astrologer. Before six -hours are past the whole story will be known, and you will become -infamous, if you are even so fortunate as to escape with life, unless -you can find some way of prevailing on him to be merciful.' She then -related what she had seen and heard; and Ahmed's exclamation carried -as complete conviction to the mind of the terrified mistress as it had -done to that of her slave. - -"The jeweller's wife, hastily throwing on her veil, went in search -of the dreaded astrologer. When she found him, she threw herself at -his feet, crying, 'Spare my honour and my life, and I will confess -everything!' - -"'What can you have to confess to me?' exclaimed Ahmed, in amazement. - -"'Oh nothing! nothing with which you are not already acquainted. You -know too well that I stole the ruby from the king's crown. I did so -to punish my husband, who uses me most cruelly; and I thought by this -means to obtain riches for myself, and to have him put to death. But -you, most wonderful man, from whom nothing is hidden, have discovered -and defeated my wicked plan. I beg only for mercy, and will do whatever -you command me.' - -"An angel from heaven could not have brought more consolation to Ahmed -than did the jeweller's wife. He assumed all the dignified solemnity -that became his new character, and said, 'Woman! I know all thou hast -done, and it is fortunate for thee that thou hast come to confess thy -sin, and beg for mercy before it was too late. Return to thy house, put -the ruby under the pillow of the couch on which thy husband sleeps; let -it be laid on the side farthest from the door; and be satisfied thy -guilt shall never be even suspected.' - -"The jeweller's wife returned home, and did as she was desired. In -an hour Ahmed followed her, and told the jeweller he had made his -calculations, and found by the aspect of the sun and moon, and by the -configuration of the stars, that the ruby was at that moment lying -under the pillow of his couch, on the side farthest from the door. The -jeweller thought Ahmed must be crazy: but as a ray of hope is like a -ray from heaven to the wretched, he ran to his couch, and there, to -his joy and wonder, found the ruby in the very place described. He -came back to Ahmed, embraced him, called him his dearest friend and -the preserver of his life, gave him the two hundred pieces of gold, -declaring that he was the first astrologer of the age. - -"These praises conveyed no joy to the poor cobbler, who returned home -more thankful to God for his preservation than elated by his good -fortune. The moment he entered the door, his wife ran up to him, and -exclaimed, 'Well, my dear astrologer! what success?' - -"'There!' said Ahmed, very gravely, 'there are two hundred pieces of -gold: I hope you will be satisfied now, and not ask me again to hazard -my life, as I have done this morning.' He then related all that had -passed. But the recital made a very different impression on the lady -from what these occurrences had made on Ahmed. Sittāra saw nothing but -the gold, which would enable her to vie with the chief astrologer's -wife at the Hemmām. 'Courage!' she said, 'courage! my dearest husband. -This is only your first labour in your new and noble profession. Go on, -and prosper; and we shall become rich and happy.' - -"In vain Ahmed remonstrated, and represented the danger; she burst into -tears, and accused him of not loving her, ending with her usual threat -of insisting upon a divorce. - -"Ahmed's heart melted, and he agreed to make another trial. -Accordingly, next morning he sallied forth with his astrolabe, his -twelve signs of the zodiac, and his almanac exclaiming, as before, 'I -am an astrologer! I know the sun, and the moon, and the stars, and the -twelve signs of the zodiac; I can calculate nativities; I can foretel -everything that is to happen!' A crowd again gathered round him, but -it was now with wonder, and not ridicule; for the story of the ruby -had gone abroad, and the voice of fame had converted the poor cobbler -Ahmed into the ablest and most learned astrologer that was ever seen at -Isfahan. - -"While everybody was gazing at him, a lady passed by veiled. She -was the wife of one of the richest merchants in the city, and had -just been at the Hemmām, where she had lost a valuable necklace and -earrings. She was now returning home in great alarm, lest her husband -should suspect her of having given her jewels to a lover. Seeing the -crowd around Ahmed, she asked the reason of their assembling, and -was informed of the whole story of the famous astrologer: how he had -been a cobbler, was inspired with supernatural knowledge, and could, -with the help of his astrolabe, his twelve signs of the zodiac, and -his almanac, discover all that ever had, or ever would happen in the -world. The story of the jeweller and the king's ruby was then told -her, accompanied by a thousand wonderful circumstances which had never -occurred. The lady, quite satisfied of his skill, went up to Ahmed, and -mentioned her loss; saying, 'A man of your knowledge and penetration -will easily discover my jewels: find them, and I will give you fifty -pieces of gold.' - -"The poor cobbler was quite confounded, and looked down, thinking only -how to escape without a public exposure of his ignorance. The lady, -in pressing through the crowd, had torn the lower part of her veil. -Ahmed's downcast eyes noticed this; and wishing to inform her of it in -a delicate manner, before it was observed by others, he whispered to -her, 'Lady, look down at the rent.' The lady's head was full of her -loss, and she was at that moment endeavouring to recollect how it could -have occurred. Ahmed's speech brought it at once to her mind, and she -exclaimed in delighted surprise, 'Stay here a few moments, thou great -astrologer. I will return immediately with the reward thou so well -deservest.' Saying this, she left him, and soon returned, carrying -in one hand the necklace and earrings, and in the other, a purse with -the fifty pieces of gold. 'There is gold for thee,' she said, 'thou -wonderful man! to whom all the secrets of nature are revealed. I had -quite forgotten where I laid the jewels, and without thee should never -have found them. But when thou desiredst me to look at the rent below, -I instantly recollected the rent near the bottom of the wall in the -bath-room, where, before undressing, I had hid them. I can now go home -in peace and comfort; and it is all owing to thee, thou wisest of men!' - -"After these words she walked away, and Ahmed returned to his home, -thankful to Providence for his preservation, and fully resolved never -again to tempt it. His handsome wife, however, could not yet rival -the chief astrologer's lady in her appearance at the Hemmām, so she -renewed her entreaties and threats, to make her fond husband continue -his career as an astrologer. - -"About this time it happened that the king's treasury was robbed of -forty chests of gold and jewels, forming the greater part of the wealth -of the kingdom. The high treasurer and other officers of state used -all diligence to find the thieves, but in vain. The king sent for his -astrologer, and declared, that if the robbers were not detected by a -stated time, he, as well as the principal ministers, should be put to -death. Only one day of the short period given them remained. All their -search had proved fruitless, and the chief astrologer, who had made his -calculations and exhausted his art to no purpose, had quite resigned -himself to his fate, when one of his friends advised him to send for -the wonderful cobbler, who had become so famous for his extraordinary -discoveries. Two slaves were immediately dispatched for Ahmed, whom -they commanded to go with them to their master. 'You see the effects -of your ambition,' said the poor cobbler to his wife; 'I am going to -my death. The king's astrologer has heard of my presumption, and is -determined to have me executed as an impostor.' - -"On entering the palace of the chief astrologer, he was surprised -to see that dignified person come forward to receive him, and lead -him to the seat of honour, and not less so to hear himself thus -addressed: 'The ways of heaven, most learned and excellent Ahmed, are -unsearchable. The high are often cast down and the low are lifted up. -The whole world depends upon fate and fortune. It is my turn now to be -depressed by fate; it is thine to be exalted by fortune.' - -"His speech was here interrupted by a messenger from the king, who, -having heard of the cobbler's fame, desired his attendance. Poor Ahmed -now concluded that it was all over with him, and followed the king's -messenger, praying to God that he would deliver him from this peril. -When he came into the king's presence, he bent his body to the ground, -and wished his majesty long life and prosperity. 'Tell me, Ahmed,' said -the king, 'who has stolen my treasure?' - -"'It was not one man,' answered Ahmed, after some consideration; 'there -were forty thieves concerned in the robbery.' - -"'Very well,' said the king: 'but who were they? and what have they -done with my gold and jewels?' - -"'These questions,' said Ahmed, 'I cannot now answer; but I hope to -satisfy your majesty, if you will grant me forty days to make my -calculations.' - -"'I grant you forty days,' said the king; 'but when they are past, if -my treasure is not found, your life shall pay the forfeit.' - -"Ahmed returned to his house well pleased; for he resolved to take -advantage of the time allowed him to fly from a city where his fame was -likely to be his ruin. 'Well, Ahmed,' said his wife, as he entered, -'what news at court?' - -"'No news at all,' said he, 'except that I am to be put to death at the -end of forty days, unless I find forty chests of gold and jewels, which -have been stolen from the royal treasury.' - -"'But you will discover the thieves.' - -"'How? by what means am I to find them?' - -"'By the same art which discovered the ruby and the lady's necklace.' - -"'The same art!' replied Ahmed. 'Foolish woman! thou knowest that I -have no art, and that I have only pretended to it for the sake of -pleasing thee. But I have had sufficient skill to gain forty days, -during which time we may easily escape to some other city, and, with -the money I now possess, and the aid of my former occupation, we may -still obtain an honest livelihood.' - -"'An honest livelihood!' repeated his lady, with scorn. 'Will thy -cobbling, thou mean, spiritless wretch! ever enable me to go to the -Hemmān like the wife of the chief astrologer? Hear me, Ahmed! Think -only of discovering the king's treasure. Thou hast just as good a -chance of doing so as thou hadst of finding the ruby, and the necklace -and earrings. At all events, I am determined thou shalt not escape; and -shouldst thou attempt to run away, I will inform the king's officers, -and have thee taken up and put to death, even before the forty days are -expired. Thou knowest me too well, Ahmed, to doubt my keeping my word. -So take courage, and endeavour to make thy fortune, and to place me in -that rank of life to which my beauty entitles me.' - -"The poor cobbler was dismayed at this speech; but knowing there was -no hope of changing his wife's resolution, he resigned himself to his -fate. 'Well,' said he, 'your will shall be obeyed. All I desire is to -pass the few remaining days of my life as comfortably as I can. You -know I am no scholar, and have little skill in reckoning; so there -are forty dates: give me one of them every night after I have said -my prayers, that I may put them in a jar, and, by counting them, may -always see how many of the few days I have to live are gone.' - -"The lady pleased, at carrying her point, took the dates, and promised -to be punctual in doing what her husband desired. - -"Meanwhile the thieves who had stolen the king's treasure, having -been kept from leaving the city by fear of detection and pursuit, had -received accurate information of every measure taken to discover them. -One of them was among the crowd before the palace on the day the king -sent for Ahmed; and hearing that the cobbler had immediately declared -their exact number, he ran in a fright to his comrades, and exclaimed, -'We are all found out! Ahmed, the new astrologer, has told the king -that there are forty of us.' - -"'There needed no astrologer to tell that,' said the captain of the -gang. 'This Ahmed, with all his simple good-nature, is a shrewd fellow. -Forty chests having been stolen, he naturally guessed that there -must be forty thieves; and he has made a good hit, that is all: still -it is prudent to watch him; for he certainly has made some strange -discoveries. One of us must go to-night, after dark, to the terrace of -this cobbler's house, and listen to his conversation with his handsome -wife; for he is said to be very fond of her, and will, no doubt, tell -her what success he has had in his endeavours to detect us.' - -"Every body approved of this scheme; and soon after nightfall one of -the thieves repaired to the terrace. He arrived there just as the -cobbler had finished his evening prayers, and his wife was giving him -the first date. 'Ah,' said Ahmed, as he took it, 'there is one of the -forty.' - -"The thief, hearing these words, hastened, in consternation, to the -gang, and told them that the moment he took his post he had been -perceived by the supernatural knowledge of Ahmed, who immediately told -his wife that one of them was there. The spy's tale was not believed -by his hardened companions; something was imputed to his fears; he -might have been mistaken; in short, it was determined to send two men -the next night at the same hour. They reached the house just as Ahmed, -having finished his prayers, had received the second date, and heard -him exclaim, 'My dear wife, to-night there are two of them!' - -"The astonished thieves fled, and told their still incredulous comrades -what they had heard. Three men were consequently sent the third night, -four the fourth, and so on. Being afraid of venturing during the day, -they always came as evening closed in, and just as Ahmed was receiving -his date: hence they all in turn heard him say that which convinced -them he was aware of their presence. On the last night they all went, -and Ahmed exclaimed aloud, 'The number is complete! To-night the whole -forty are here!' - -"All doubts were now removed. It was impossible that Ahmed should have -discovered them by any natural means. How could he ascertain their -exact number? and night after night, without ever once being mistaken? -He must have learnt it by his skill in astrology. Even the captain now -yielded, in spite of his incredulity, and declared his opinion that it -was hopeless to elude a man thus gifted; he therefore advised that -they should make a friend of the cobbler, by confessing every thing to -him, and bribing him to secrecy by a share of the booty. - -"His advice was approved of; and an hour before dawn they knocked -at Ahmed's door. The poor man jumped out of bed, and, supposing the -soldiers were come to lead him to execution, cried out, 'Have patience! -I know what you are come for. It is a very unjust and wicked deed.' - -"'Most wonderful man!' said the captain, as the door was opened, 'we -are fully convinced that thou knowest why we are come, nor do we mean -to justify the action of which thou speakest. Here are two thousand -pieces of gold, which we will give thee, provided thou wilt swear to -say nothing more about the matter.' - -"'Say nothing about it!' said Ahmed. 'Do you think it possible I can -suffer such gross wrong and injustice without complaining, and making -it known to all the world?' - -"'Have mercy upon us!' exclaimed the thieves, falling on their knees; -'only spare our lives, and we will restore the royal treasure.' - -"The cobbler started, rubbed his eyes to see if he were asleep or -awake; and being satisfied that he was awake, and that the men -before him were really the thieves, he assumed a solemn tone, and -said--'Guilty men! ye are persuaded that ye cannot escape from -my penetration, which reaches unto the sun and moon, and knows -the position and aspect of every star in the heavens. Your timely -repentance has saved you. But ye must immediately restore all that ye -have stolen. Go straightway, and carry the forty chests exactly as ye -found them, and bury them a foot deep under the southern wall of the -old ruined Hemmām, beyond the king's palace. If ye do this punctually, -your lives are spared; but if ye fail in the slightest degree, -destruction will fall upon you and your families.' - -"The thieves promised obedience to his commands, and departed. Ahmed -then fell on his knees, and returned thanks to God for this signal -mark of his favour. About two hours after the royal guards came, and -desired Ahmed to follow them. He said he would attend them as soon as -he had taken leave of his wife, to whom he determined not to impart -what had occurred until he saw the result. He bade her farewell very -affectionately; she supported herself with great fortitude on this -trying occasion, exhorting her husband to be of good cheer, and said a -few words about the goodness of Providence. But the fact was, Sittāra -fancied, that if God took the worthy cobbler to himself, her beauty -might attract some rich lover, who would enable her to go to the Hemmām -with as much splendour as the astrologer's lady, whose image, adorned -with jewels and fine clothes, and surrounded by slaves, still haunted -her imagination. - -"The decrees of Heaven are just: a reward suited to their merits -awaited Ahmed and his wife. The good man stood with a cheerful -countenance before the king, who was impatient for his arrival, and -immediately said, 'Ahmed, thy looks are promising; hast thou discovered -my treasure?' - -"'Does your majesty require the thieves or the treasure? The stars -will only grant one or the other,' said Ahmed, looking at his table of -astrological calculations. 'Your majesty must make your choice. I can -deliver up either, but not both.' - -"'I should be sorry not to punish the thieves,' answered the king; 'but -if it must be so, I choose the treasure.' - -"'And you give the thieves a full and free pardon?' - -"'I do, provided I find my treasure untouched.' - -"'Then,' said Ahmed, 'if your majesty will follow me, the treasure -shall be restored to you.' - -"The king and all his nobles followed the cobbler to the ruins of the -old Hemmām. There, casting his eyes towards Heaven, Ahmed muttered -some sounds, which were supposed by the spectators to be magical -conjurations, but which were in reality the prayers and thanksgivings -of a sincere and pious heart to God, for his wonderful deliverance. -When his prayer was finished, he pointed to the southern wall, and -requested that his majesty would order his attendants to dig there. The -work was hardly begun, when the whole forty chests were found in the -same state as when stolen, with the treasurer's seal upon them still -unbroken. - -"The king's joy knew no bounds: he embraced Ahmed, and immediately -appointed him his chief astrologer, assigned to him an apartment in -the palace, and declared that he should marry his only daughter,[159] -as it was his duty to promote the man whom God had so singularly -favoured, and had made instrumental in restoring the treasures of his -kingdom. The young princess, who was more beautiful than the moon, was -not dissatisfied with her father's choice; for her mind was stored with -religion and virtue, and she had learnt to value beyond all earthly -qualities that piety and learning which she believed Ahmed to possess. -The royal will was carried into execution as soon as formed. The wheel -of fortune had taken a complete turn. The morning had found Ahmed -in a wretched hovel, rising from a sorry bed, in the expectation of -losing his life: in the evening he was the lord of a rich palace, and -married to the only daughter of a powerful king. But this change did -not alter his character. As he had been meek and humble in adversity, -he was modest and gentle in prosperity. Conscious of his own ignorance, -he continued to ascribe his good fortune solely to the favour of -Providence. He became daily more attached to the beautiful and virtuous -princess whom he had married; and he could not help contrasting her -character with that of his former wife, whom he had ceased to love, and -of whose unreasonable and unfeeling vanity he was now fully sensible. - -"As Ahmed did not return to his house, Sittāra only heard of his -elevation from common rumour. She saw with despair that her wishes -for his advancement had been more than accomplished, but that all -her own desires had been entirely frustrated. Her husband was chief -astrologer--the very situation she had set her heart on; he was rich -enough to enable his wife to surpass all the ladies of Isfahan, in -the number of her slaves, and the finery of her clothes and jewels, -whenever she went to the Hemmām: but he had married a princess; and -his former wife, according to custom, was banished from his house, -and condemned to live on whatever pittance she might receive from a -man whose love and esteem she had for ever forfeited. These thoughts -distracted her mind: her envy was excited by the accounts she daily -heard of Ahmed's happiness, and of the beauty of the princess; and she -now became anxious only for his destruction, looking on him as the sole -cause of her disappointment. - -"An opportunity of indulging her revengeful feelings was not long -wanting. The king of Seestan had sent an emerald of extraordinary size -and brilliancy as a present to the king of Irak. It was carefully -enclosed in a box, to which there were three keys, and one of them was -given in charge to each of the three confidential servants employed -to convey it. When they reached Isfahan, the box was opened, but the -emerald was gone. Nothing could exceed their consternation; each -accused the other: as the lock was not broken, it was evident one of -them must be the thief. They consulted what was to be done; to conceal -what had happened was impossible; the very attempt would have brought -death on them all. It was resolved, therefore, to lay the whole matter -before the king, and beg that by his great wisdom he would detect the -culprit, and that he would show mercy to the other two. - -"The king heard the story with astonishment, but was unable to find any -clue by which he might ascertain the truth. He summoned his vizier and -all the wisest men of his court; but they were as much at a loss as -their master. The report spread through the city; and Sittāra thought -she had now the means of working her husband's ruin. She solicited a -private audience of his majesty, on the plea of having a communication -of importance to make. Her request was granted. On entering the royal -presence she threw herself at his feet, exclaiming, 'Pardon, O king! -my having so long concealed the guilt of my husband Ahmed, whose -alliance is a disgrace to the royal blood. He is no astrologer, but an -associate of thieves, and by that means alone did he discover the royal -treasure. If any doubts are entertained of my speaking the truth, let -his majesty command Ahmed to recover the emerald which the servants of -the king of Seestan have stolen. Surely the man who by his wonderful -art ascertained where all the treasure of the kingdom was concealed, -will find it an easy matter to discover a single precious stone.' - -"The king, who loved his son-in-law, was grieved by this information. -Still, as the honour of his family was concerned, he resolved to put -Ahmed to the test; and, if he found him an impostor, to vindicate the -royal dignity by his condign punishment. He therefore sent for Ahmed, -told him what had happened, and added, 'I give you twenty days to -discover who stole the emerald. If you succeed, you shall be raised to -the highest honours of the state. If not, you shall suffer death for -having deceived me.' - -"Poor Ahmed quitted the presence quite disconsolate. The princess, -perceiving his affliction, inquired the cause. Ahmed was by nature as -sincere as he was pious and humble. He related, without concealment -or disguise, every event of his past life; and concluded with these -words: 'You must see, from what I have said, how incapable I am of -doing what your father enjoins. My life must answer for it; and my -only consolation is, that I shall, in twenty days, relieve you from a -husband, whom from this time you must despise.' - -"'I only love you the better, my dear Ahmed, for your sincerity and -truth,' said the princess. 'One, who has been so favoured by Heaven, -must be dear to every pious heart. Be of good cheer; I will turn -astrologer this time, and see whether I can find out the thief. All -I require is, that you endeavour to be composed, while I consult the -stars and make my calculations.' - -"Ahmed, delighted with this proof of affection, and reassured of the -confidence of her manner, promised to be obedient; and said he would -only venture to assist her exertions by his earnest prayers to that -Power which had never deserted him. - -"The princess immediately invited the messengers from the king of -Seestan to her palace. They were surprised at the invitation, and still -more at their reception. 'You are strangers,' she said to them, 'and -come from a powerful king: it is my wish to show you every attention. -As to the lost emerald, think no more of it; it is a mere trifle. I -will intercede with the king, my father, to give himself no further -concern on the subject, being convinced that it has been lost by one of -those strange accidents for which it is impossible to account.' - -"The princess entertained the strangers for several days, and during -that time the emerald seemed to be forgotten. She conversed with -them freely, inquiring particularly of Seestan, and the countries -they had seen on their travels. Flattered by her condescension, they -became confident of their safety; and were delighted with their royal -patroness. The princess, seeing them completely off their guard, turned -the conversation one evening on wonderful occurrences; and after each -had related his story, said, 'I will now recount to you some events of -my own life, which you will, I think, deem more extraordinary than any -you have ever heard. - -"'I am my father's only child, and have therefore been a favourite from -my birth. I was brought up in the belief that I could command whatever -this world can afford; and was taught that unbounded liberality is -the first and most princely of virtues. I early resolved to surpass -every former example of generosity. I thought my power of doing good, -and making every body happy, was as unlimited as my wish to do so; -and I could not conceive the existence of misery beyond my power to -relieve. When I was eighteen I was betrothed to my cousin, a young -prince, who excelled all others in beauty of person and nobleness of -mind; and I fancied myself at the summit of happiness. It chanced, -however, that on the morning of my nuptials I went to walk in a garden -near the palace, where I had been accustomed to spend some hours daily -from my childhood. The old gardener, with whose cheerfulness I had -often been amused, met me. Seeing him look very miserable, I asked him -what was the matter? He evaded a direct answer; but I insisted upon -his disclosing the cause of his grief, declaring at the same time my -determination to remove it. - -"''You cannot relieve me,' said the old man, with a deep sigh; 'it is -out of your power, my beloved princess, to heal the wound of which I am -dying.' - -"'My pride was roused, and I exclaimed, 'I swear--' - -"''Do not swear!' said the gardener, seizing my hand. - -"''I do swear!' I repeated, irritated by the opposition. 'I will stop -at nothing to make you happy; and I further swear, that I will not -leave this spot until you reveal the grief which preys upon you.' - -"'The old man, seeing my resolution, spake with tremulous emotion as -follows: 'Princess, you know not what you have done. Behold a man -who has dared for these two years to look upon you with an eye of -admiration; his love has at length reached such a pitch, that without -you he must be wretched for ever; and unless you consent to meet him -in the garden to-night, and become his bride instead of that of the -prince, he must die.' - -"'Shocked by this unforeseen declaration, and trembling at the thought -of my oath, I tried to reason with the old gardener, and offered him -all the wealth I possessed. 'I told you,' he replied, 'beautiful -princess, that you could not make me happy; I endeavoured to prevent -your rash vow; and nothing but that should have drawn from me the -secret of my heart. Death, I know, is my fate; for I cannot live and -see you the wife of another. Leave me to die. Go to your husband; go to -the enjoyment of your pomp and riches; but never again pretend to the -exercise of a power which depends upon a thousand circumstances that no -human being can regulate or control.' - -"'This speech conveyed a bitter reproach. I would have sacrificed my -life a hundred times, sooner than stain my honour by marrying this -man; but I had made a vow in the face of Heaven, and to break it -seemed sacrilege. Besides, I earnestly wished to die undeceived in my -favourite notion, that I could make all who came near me happy. Under -the struggle of these different feelings, I told the gardener his -desire should be granted, and that I would be in the garden an hour -before midnight. After this assurance I went away, resolved in my own -mind not to outlive the disgrace to which I had doomed myself. - -"'I passed the day in the deepest melancholy. A little before midnight -I contrived to dismiss my attendants, and, arrayed in my bridal -apparel, which was covered with the richest jewels, I went towards the -garden. I had not proceeded many yards, when I was met by a thief, -who, seizing me, said, 'Let me strip you, madam, of these unnecessary -ornaments: if you make the least noise, instant death awaits you.' In -my state of mind such threats frightened me little. I wished to die, -but I wished, before I died, to fulfil my vow. I told my story to the -thief, beseeching him to let me pass, and pledging my word to return, -that he might not be disappointed of his booty. After some hesitation, -he allowed me to proceed. - -"'I had not gone many steps, when I encountered a furious lion, which -had broken loose from my father's menagerie. Knowing the merciful -nature of this animal towards the weak and defenceless, I dropped on my -knees, repeated my story, and assured him, if he would let me fulfil my -vow, I would come back to him as ready to be destroyed as he could be -to make me his prey. The lion stepped aside, and I went into the garden. - -"'I found the old gardener all impatience for my arrival. He flew to -meet me, exclaiming I was an angel. I told him I was resigned to my -engagement, but had not long to live. He started, and asked what I -meant. I gave him an account of my meeting with the thief and the lion. -'Wretch that I am!' cried the gardener; 'how much misery have I caused! -but bad as I am, I am not worse than a thief, or a beast of prey; which -I should be, did I not absolve you from your vow, and assure you the -only way in which you can now make me happy, is by forgiving my wicked -presumption.' - -"'I was completely relieved by these words, and granted the -forgiveness desired; but having determined in spite of the gardener's -remonstrances, to keep my promises to the thief and the lion, I refused -to accept his protection. On leaving the garden, the lion met me. -'Noble lion,' I said, 'I am come, as I promised you.' I then related -to him how the gardener had absolved me from my vow, and I expressed a -hope that the king of beasts would not belie his renown for generosity. -The lion again stepped aside, and I proceeded to the thief, who was -still standing where I left him. I told him I was now in his power, but -that, before he stripped me, I must relate to him what had happened -since our last meeting. Having heard me, he turned away, saying, 'I am -not meaner than a poor gardener, nor more cruel than a hungry lion: I -will not injure what they have respected.' - -"'Delighted with my escapes, I returned to my father's palace, where -I was united to my cousin, with whom I lived happily till his death; -persuaded, however, that the power of human beings to do good is very -limited, and that when they leave the narrow path marked out for them -by their Maker, they not only lose their object, but often wander -far into error and guilt, by attempting more than it is possible to -perform.' - -"The princess paused, and was glad to see her guests so enchanted with -her story, that it had banished every other thought from their minds. -After a few moments she turned to one of them, and asked, 'Now which, -think you, showed the greatest virtue in his forbearance--the gardener, -the thief, or the lion?' - -"'The gardener assuredly,' was his answer; 'to abandon so lovely a -prize, when so nearly his own.' - -"'And what is your opinion?' said the princess to his neighbour. - -"'I think the lion was the most generous,' he replied; 'he must have -been very hungry, and in such a state it was great forbearance to -abstain from devouring so delicate a morsel.' - -"'You both seem to me to be quite wrong,' said the third, impatiently; -'the thief had by far the most merit. Gracious Heavens! to have within -his grasp such wealth, and to refrain from taking it! I could not have -believed it possible, unless the princess herself had assured us of the -fact.' - -"The princess now, assuming an air of dignity, said to the first who -spoke, 'You, I perceive, are an admirer of the ladies;' to the second, -'You are an epicure;' and then turning to the third, who was already -pale with fright, 'You, my friend, have the emerald in your possession. -You have betrayed yourself, and nothing but an immediate confession can -save your life.' - -"The guilty man's countenance removed all doubt; and when the princess -renewed her assurances of safety, he threw himself at her feet, -acknowledged his offence, and gave her the emerald, which he carried -concealed about him. The princess rose, went to her husband, and said, -'There, Ahmed, what do you think of the success of my calculations?' -She then related the whole circumstance, and bade him carry the jewel -to her father, adding, 'I trust he will feel a greater admiration than -ever for my husband, the wonderful astrologer!' - -"Ahmed took the emerald in silent astonishment, and went with it -to the king, of whom he requested a private audience. On its being -granted, he presented the emerald. The king, dazzled by its brilliancy -and size, loaded his son-in-law with the most extravagant praises, -extolling him as superior to any astrologer who had ever been seen in -the world. Poor Ahmed, conscious how little he deserved such praise, -threw himself at the king's feet, and begged that he might be allowed -to speak the truth, as he was readier to die than to continue imposing -on his majesty's goodness. 'You impose on me!' said the king, 'that is -impossible. Did you not recover my treasure? Have you not brought me -this emerald?' - -"'True, O king!' said Ahmed, 'I have done so, but without possessing -that science for which I have gained a reputation.' He then told his -history from first to last with perfect sincerity. The king showed -great displeasure while listening to his earlier adventures, but when -Ahmed related the story of the emerald, intermingling his tale with -fervent expressions of admiration for the wonderful wisdom and virtue -of the princess, he heard him with delight. After he had finished, the -king summoned his vizier and chief counsellors, and desired that his -daughter also might attend, and when they were all assembled, he spake -as follows; 'Daughter, I have learnt the history of thy husband from -his own lips. I have also heard much in confirmation of the belief I -have long entertained, that thy knowledge and goodness are even greater -than thy beauty. They prove that thou wert born to rule; and I only -obey the will of Heaven, and consult the happiness of my people, when -I resign my power into thy hands, being resolved to seek that repose -which my declining years require. As to thy husband, thou wilt dispose -of him as it pleases thee. His birth, I always knew, was low, but I -thought that his wisdom and learning raised him to a level with the -highest rank; these, it now appears, he does not possess. If thou -deemest his alliance a disgrace, divorce him. If, on the other hand, -thou art willing to keep him as thy husband, do so, and give him such -share as thou thinkest fit in the authority which I now commit to thee.' - -"The princess knelt to kiss her father's hand, and answered, 'May my -father's life and reign be prolonged for his daughter's happiness, -and for that of his subjects! I am a weak woman, altogether unequal -to the task which his too fond love would impose on me. If my humble -counsel is listened to, my father will continue to govern his people, -whose gratitude and veneration will make obedience light, and rule -easy. As to Ahmed, I love and esteem him; he is sensible, sincere, and -pious, and I deem myself fortunate in having for my husband a man so -peculiarly favoured and protected by Heaven. What, my dear father, are -high rank or brilliant talents without religion and virtue? They are -as plants which bear gaudy blossoms, but yield no fruit.' - -"The king was delighted with his daughter's wisdom and affection. 'Your -advice,' he said, 'my beloved daughter, shall be followed. I will -continue to govern my kingdom, while you and Ahmed shall assist me with -your counsels.' - -"The good cobbler was soon afterwards nominated vizier; and the same -virtue and piety, which had obtained him respect in the humblest sphere -of life, caused him to be loved and esteemed in the high station to -which he was elevated. - -"The designs of Sittāra were discovered, but her guilt was pardoned. -She was left with a mere subsistence, a prey to disappointment; for -she continued to the last to sigh for that splendour she had seen -displayed by the chief astrologer's wife at the Hemmām; thereby -affording a salutary lesson to those who admit envy into their bosoms, -and endeavour to attain their ends by unreasonable and unjustifiable -means." - -FOOTNOTES: - -[158] This occurrence was told the Elchee by Hajee Ibrahim in 1800, -scarcely four years after the event to which it referred. Vide Hist. -Persia, vol. ii. p. 297. - -[159] It is very common in the East for the daughters of monarchs to be -married to men eminent for piety or learning, however low their origin. - - - - -CHAPTER XXI. - - Mārāgā--Naser-ood-Deen--Persian Servants--Jaghatty - River--Kūrdistan--Robbery--Arrival at Sennah--Ardelan--Conclusion. - - -Mārāgā, where we halted some days, is a beautiful town, famous in -eastern history as the place where Hoolakoo, the grandson of Chenghiz, -relaxed from his warlike toils, and assembled round him men of the -first genius of the age; who have commemorated his love of science, and -given him more fame as its munificent patron than he acquired by all -his conquests. Amongst these was Naser-ood-Deen, who, in the thirteenth -century formed his celebrated astronomical tables. - -We approached our encampment by a range of low hills, the top of which -had been levelled to aid Naser-ood-Deen, and other astronomers, in -making their observations. We traced distinctly the foundations of the -observatory, which had been constructed for the favourite philosopher -of the Tartar prince. In this observatory there was, according to one -of the best Mahomedan works,[160] a species of apparatus to represent -the celestial sphere, with the signs of the zodiac, the conjunctions, -transits, and revolutions of the heavenly bodies. Through a perforation -in the dome, the rays of the sun were admitted, so as to strike upon -certain lines on the pavement in a way to indicate, in degrees and -minutes, the altitude and declination of that luminary during every -season, and to mark the time and hour of the day throughout the year. -It was further supplied with a map of the terrestrial globe, in all -its climates or zones, exhibiting the several regions of the habitable -world, as well as a general outline of the ocean, with the numerous -islands contained in its bosom; and, according to the Mahomedan author, -all these were so perspicuously arranged and delineated, as at once to -remove, by the clearest demonstration, every doubt from the mind of the -student! - -After contemplating for some time what remained of a work, which had -been dedicated to celestial objects, amidst scenes of rapine and -bloodshed, we were reminded that we had terrestrial occupations to -attend to, being called to breakfast at our tents. These were pitched -on the green banks of the river that flows past Mārāgā, and over which -are two admirable bridges of six elliptical arches each, built by the -present governor, Ahmed Khan, a nobleman of high rank and influence. - -On approaching the tents we were met by fishermen with some trout -carried on willow branches, which were passed through their gills, -exactly in the same manner as is customary in Scotland. Those of our -mission, and amongst them the Elchee, who belonged to that country, -loudly expressed their delight with the willows, the fish, and the -clear stream from which they were taken. We had the trout fried -for breakfast; and during that meal, Persia, its kings, princes, -astronomers, armies--all were forgotten, and nothing was talked of but -the Esk, the Ewis, the Liddle, and the Teviot; important rivers no -doubt to the natives of Eskdale, Ewisdale, Liddisdale, and Teviotdale, -but probably as little known to many of my English readers, as to the -inhabitants of Aderbejan. - -I visited a small tomb whilst at Mārāgā, in which, according to common -report, the remains of Hoolakoo are interred, as also those of his -Christian queen Delghooz Khātoon. To this lady, even Mahomedan writers -ascribe some of the most munificent actions of her Moghul lord, who -was attached to her in a very extraordinary degree. She is reputed to -have been a great proficient in science, and to have honoured with her -peculiar patronage and favour the celebrated Naser-ood-Deen, of whom I -have already spoken. The reputation of this great man had nearly proved -his ruin. A young chief, of a gloomy disposition, belonging to the -dreaded sect of Hoosein, who dwelt in the north-western mountains of -Persia, having heard of his fame, and thinking to profit by his wisdom, -commanded that he should be brought to his presence. The mandate was -instantly obeyed; for his followers gave a devoted obedience to their -chief, being fanatics of the same sect as the subjects of the Old Man -of the Mountain,[161] whose history is familiar to all readers of the -wars of the crusades. - -A few men were sent in disguise to Bokhara, and Naser-ood-Deen was -seized and carried off while walking in his garden. He was made over -from one party to another, till he found himself at the "Eagle's -Nest:" so the residence of the young prince, on the top of a high -mountain, was called. His value, we are told, was fully appreciated -at this barbarous court. While, however, they honoured him with every -attention, they took precautions to prevent all possibility of escape. -It was during this confinement that he wrote the celebrated treatise on -ethics,[162] which has raised his fame as high for philosophy as for -astronomy. - -The desire of liberating a genius of whom his country was justly proud, -was, we are told, one of the principal motives which led Hoolakoo to -attack and destroy this abode of dreaded assassins;[163] and when -their boasted Eagle's Nest was taken, the emperor rejoiced less in its -capture, than in having released Naser-ood-Deen, who was immediately -invested with a dress of honour, and promoted to high employment. But -it was to the favour and patronage of the Christian princess Delghooz -Khātoon, that this philosopher owed the opportunities he enjoyed at -Mārāgā, of making his name coeval with that of oriental science. - -No less than five of my friends, who had been long absent on their -travels, joined us at Mārāgā. Four of them I could hardly recognize, -being dressed in Persian clothes, and having large whiskers and long -beards. They told us wondrous tales of Seestan, Balochistan, Hamadān, -and other countries in which they had been. We were now a party of -fourteen, but we did not remain long together: some were detached to -drill Persian soldiers, while others were sent to survey and report -upon the soil and population of different districts of this once famous -kingdom. - -The Elchee had returned from his first mission by the route of -Hamadān: he now determined to go to Bagdad by that of Kūrdistan, -the ancient Carduchia, a province to which the sword and the pen -of Xenophon have given celebrity. I was delighted at the prospect -of visiting this country, which I found, by a Persian History[164] -belonging to the Elchee, had a particular claim to the attention of -the Christian world. It was the birthplace of the famous Saladin,[165] -whose sword arrested the progress of the conquerors of Palestine. - -According to my author, Shadi Ben Mirvan, a native of Kūrdistan, was -kutwal or magistrate of Tekreet.[166] In this office he was succeeded -by his eldest son, Nizām-ood-Deen Ayoob, who was compelled to leave -the country in consequence of his younger brother, Assad-ood-Deen, -having, in defence of an injured female, killed a man of a powerful -family. The governor of the province is said to have admired the -spirit and humanity which prompted this deed; but being unable to -protect the brothers against the relations of the deceased, he -recommended and aided their flight. They went first to Moosul,[167] -and thence to Balbec, the prince of which, Noor-ood-Deen, was an -intimate ally of Azad Ismael, the Waly of Egypt, who was then warring, -according to the Mahomedan writer, against the accursed infidels of -Europe! Noor-ood-Deen, pleased with the bold, manly character of -Assad-ood-Deen, sent him in command of his forces to Egypt; where, our -Eastern author tells us, he rose so high in the favour of the Waly, -that he employed him to put to death his vizier, and rewarded him -with the vacant office! He died soon after,[168] and his high station -devolved upon his nephew Saladin, son of Nizām-ood-Deen Ayoob. - -The young Saladin is described by this author in glowing colours. His -qualities were of the highest order; even in youth he soon outstript -all competitors. He became the sole manager of affairs in Egypt under -the title of Mallik Nasser: he wrote to the prince of Balbec to permit -his father to join him, and on the twenty-fourth day of Rejib, in -the year of the Hegira 565, the old man, who a few years before had -considered himself and his family ruined, on being compelled to abandon -the office of a petty magistrate, was met and welcomed at some distance -from his son's palace by the Waly of Egypt; for that prince thought he -could not too highly honour the parent of the man, to whom he ascribed -the safety and glory of his country. - -Saladin wished to make over his station to his father; but the latter -declined the offer, and continued, during the three years he lived, -without any public employment. The Waly of Egypt having died, Saladin, -already in possession of the power, succeeded to the name of sovereign -of that kingdom. The riches of which he became possessed are minutely -described by the Persian author. Amongst them was a staff of emeralds -of extraordinary value, and a library of one hundred thousand select -volumes. - -Noor-ood-Deen, the prince of Balbec, who had raised this family, -becoming jealous of Saladin's power, endeavoured to destroy him; but -all his efforts were defeated, and at his death Syria was added to -Egypt. - -Thus originated the power of the celebrated Saladin. His recovery -of Jerusalem, the siege of Ascalon, and his wars with those who are -termed infidels, are given at great length, and the boldest of the -Christian heroes are often represented as flying before his victorious -sword. I looked through this volume, for an account of the wonderful -achievements of our gallant Richard, and some mention of his fair -sister Matilda; but I looked in vain, and the omission produced no -favourable impression of an author who could pass over subjects so dear -to every English reader of the wars of Palestine. - -The day before we left Mārāgā, our muleteers mutinied. They refused -to proceed through Kūrdistan, alleging that the inhabitants were all -robbers and murderers, and delighted in nothing more than plundering -and putting to death Persians, from whom most of the tribes of that -rugged country differ as much in habits as in religion, being half -savages and of the sect of Soonees. The Elchee was only able to quiet -them by promising to replace any mules which might be stolen, and to -defend them if attacked. - -The temper of the Elchee, which had been ruffled by this occurrence, -was still more so by the conduct of one of his principal servants, -Feridoon Beg, who, besides receiving handsome pay, bore a gold stick, -and took precedence of all the state servants on occasions of ceremony. -This man having been sent with two hundred piastres to the servants of -the chief of Mārāgā, kept back twenty. Being detected, his only defence -was, that the fellows had cheated him and others, by intercepting part -of a present from their master to the domestics of the Elchee. - -The excuse was not admitted. Feridoon was degraded, and being a -favourite, had little sympathy. One of his companions, approving of -the indignation his conduct had excited, said, "What a mean rascal! -to behave as he has done; and all for twenty piastres!" This speech -increased the Elchee's passion, who reprobated the man for looking at -the amount of the sum taken, not at the immorality of the action. "You, -no doubt," said he, "when you begin, will be a rogue on a large scale." -He proceeded in his anger from individuals to communities, and finished -by declaring, that there was neither truth nor honesty to be found in -Persia. - -This was so much the general impression, that we were delighted to find -the Elchee's eyes at length opened; but in the evening, when some of us -expressed concurrence in his opinions, what was our surprise to find -that these had been completely changed by a few hours of reflection! - -"I was," he said, "very unreasonable this morning, and am quite ashamed -of myself. What could you expect?" said he to a gentleman who had -mentioned some instances of being cheated in the purchase of horses and -mules, as well as by servants; "what, I ask, could you expect to happen -to an envoy from Persia, who landed at Hull, with the reputation of -having plenty of money; and proceeded to the court of St. James's, -furnishing himself and suite with horses, bought without experience, -and hiring a numerous train of servants, with little if any inquiry -as to their character? Do you think our laws would secure his being -supplied in Yorkshire with horses worth what he gave for them, or -prevent his being cheated and robbed, by men who hang loose on society, -and who consequently would crowd to such a master? - -"Now what is our situation in Persia? We fit out a mission at -Abusheher, buy such horses as are offered, and hire every good-looking -fellow who presents himself. We are in fact compelled to do so; for -in a country where religious prejudices are so strong, none but those -who cannot get bread elsewhere would come to serve Faringees, unless -tempted by the hopes of great gain, through fair or unfair means. - -"This, if you reflect, must be particularly the case in a country where -laws have little force, but where, whatever of morality there is in -the lower orders, chiefly depends upon their religious sentiments, or -feelings of allegiance and attachment to superiors; and amongst equals, -on the ties which subsist in families and tribes. Their religious -prejudices are all against us, and we neither have, nor can have, any -claim on their allegiance or attachment, nor the benefit of family ties -to guard us in our occasional visits to this country; and we should -not therefore wonder that we are sometimes cheated; far less should we -proceed, as I did this morning, to condemn a whole nation because we -discover such crimes in those around us. We ought, in justice to the -Persians, to refer much of what has occurred to our peculiar situation -in their country, and not write them all down rogues, unless we -ascertain that they are, as a people, in the habit of behaving towards -each other, as we have found a few of them behave towards us." - -Such was the Elchee's doctrine, to which there neither was any -expression of assent or dissent. Some probably believed there was -reason in what he stated, while others thought there was no use in -arguing with him on a subject, on which he was known to be very -prejudiced and impatient. - -Two more marches brought us to the banks of the river Jaghattee, which -rising among the mountains of Kūrdistan, after fertilizing several -valleys in that country, and in the province of Aderbejan, flows into -the lake of Oormeah. We halted here some days; and were so delighted -with the fishing, shooting, and hunting, near our encampment, that we -should have remained longer, but for a report that the plague was in a -neighbouring village. This determined the Elchee to move; nor could he -be induced to remain by the assurance of some Kūrds, that this village -was the utmost limit to which the scourge had ever been known to extend -in this quarter. - -It would fill a volume, were I to relate the amusing and interesting -accounts we received from our enterprising friends; who had not only -visited many of the least known parts of Persia, but had penetrated -into the wide and barbarous countries between that kingdom and India. -Their travels, if ever noticed, must belong to a future work; none -of them excited my curiosity more than those of a gallant and valued -friend, who has since died the death of a soldier. He had traversed -the arid plains of Seestan, and visited the famous cities of Mushed -and Yezd in Khorassan. As he knew Yezd was the chief residence of the -few Guebres, or worshippers of fire, who still remain in Persia, and -who live there, under the protection of their chief, who is one of -the principal magistrates of the town, he had furnished himself with -letters from the Parsees or Guebres at Bombay, to their friends at -Yezd. Among these was one from Khoosroo, a well known poet, who, like -many others, is more famous for the quantity than the quality of his -rhymes. My friend had kept a copy of this singular production, which -was in verse. - -After informing the chief to whom this letter was addressed that the -person who would present it was endowed with many qualities, Khoosroo -terms him the Vakeel or agent of the Elchee, whom he describes as a -man "who never took rest for one moment, in one place."[169] This -characteristic hit made us all laugh. The Elchee, while he joined in -our mirth, defended himself against this charge of perpetual motion -as well as he could. "Laugh away, gentlemen," said he, "but recollect -one thing--I have never changed my abode, but by the orders of my -superiors." - -We went from the banks of the Jaghattee to a village called Koozlee. -Ascending to the top of a hill, we had a fine view of Kūrdistan, which -appeared, far as the eye could reach, an interminable cluster of hills. -A few scattered huts, and several small encampments, were all we could -see of human dwellings; and their distance from each other indicated -that stage of civilization which precedes the congregating of men into -villages and towns. - -The impressions this prospect made upon our minds, as to the character -of the people on whose rugged land we were now entering, were confirmed -the ensuing morning at three o'clock, by the cry of "Robbers, robbers! -Murder, murder!" All was instantly in confusion; trumpets sounded, -drums beat to arms; boots destined for the right leg were put on the -left, while we huddled on our clothes, and ran to our posts. It was -too dark to see ten yards; but we soon discovered that there were no -assailants in the camp. Many of our party who had gone in front came -back, and every one had a more alarming tale than the other. According -to them, several men were killed, and a hundred mules plundered. While -listening to these accounts, a Portuguese servant came galloping into -camp, exclaiming, "They are murdering all the Christians! May the Lord -preserve us!" The pious ejaculations of the affrighted Joseph caused -much merriment; for, as he was the only Christian who had been in -danger, it was evident that his alarm, whatever character he desired to -give it, was all for himself. - -The Elchee halted till daylight, and then proceeded towards the -village; where he found his mehmandar, two Kūrdish chiefs, and three -or four principal men of the country, consulting what was to be done. -They entreated him to allow them to trace the robbers, and recover what -had been plundered, which was now found to amount to five mule loads; -but circumstances led to a suspicion that some of those who gave this -advice were concerned in the robbery, and the Elchee was consequently -in no temper to listen to their counsel. He told them not to speak to -him, as he neither wanted their advice nor aid: being resolved to deter -the natives of Kūrdistan from ever again meddling with an European -envoy. They endeavoured, but in vain, to pacify him; he ordered the -infantry and baggage to proceed to the next stage, twelve miles -distant, and with the cavalry, divided into three parties, swept the -country for eight miles, in the direction in which the mules had been -carried off. Three mules and some of the plundered articles were found; -and as a security for the remainder, nine head persons of hamlets and -petty tribes were seized, and taken to our encampment. The mehmandar -and some Kūrdish chiefs entreated for their release, and crowds of -women and children followed us imploring mercy; but all received the -same answer; "When every article which has been taken is restored or -what cannot be found is paid for, then, and not a moment before, shall -these men be released." - -The Elchee either was or pretended to be in a great rage. The -mehmandar, who was a favourite, and used to joke with him, became -alarmed: "I now see," said he, "what I had before heard, but could not -believe, that you Faringees, when in a passion, are as great savages as -we are, or even as the Kūrds." - -When we reached our encampment, the hostages were placed in strict -confinement, and not allowed to communicate with any of their families -or tribes. The consequence was what we anticipated. The lost mules -and the greater part of the baggage were brought back. Nothing -remained unaccounted for, but some clothes belonging to the Elchee -and his personal servants. These were valued at seven hundred and -twenty piastres; which, seeing no abatement would be allowed, were -at last paid by the collector of the district.[170] Some hours after -the Elchee sent for this officer, and returned him three hundred and -twenty piastres, the amount of his personal loss. This unexpected -consideration put the collector in good humour. The prisoners, who had -been alarmed for their lives, were not only released but feasted; and -the Elchee made small, but valued, presents of coloured handkerchiefs, -knives, and scissors, to several of their wives and children, who had -followed them to our camp. In short, a gloomy morning was succeeded by -a sunshiny evening, and our Kūrd friends left us, declaring they would -never again plunder any of our tribe; a promise they will probably keep -or break, according as they think they can measure strength with those -of our race who may visit their country. - -The Elchee having become not only calm, but in high spirits with his -success, was visited by the mehmandar and others, who assured him the -news of these transactions would soon spread, and protect his camp -against all further attempts of plunderers; and certain it is, we were -never again assailed during our residence in Kūrdistan. - -Our march for several days was over a very rugged country, in which -there was little cultivation. The pasture appeared excellent, and the -valleys were watered by small but clear streams. The great want in -Kūrdistan, as in many other parts of Persia, is wood. My Indian friend, -Soobadar Syed Hoosein,[171] when riding with me, remarked the great -difference in this particular between the provinces we had travelled -through, and his native land. "These proud Persians," said he, "boast -of their country; but they have neither shade to protect them from the -heat of summer, nor fuel to save them from the cold of winter." - -The day he made this observation, the good Soobadar had reason to -complain of the want of the latter article; for, as winter was yet -distant, it being only the 16th of August, none was furnished, and -the cold proved excessive; the water in our tents was frozen, and -Fahrenheit's thermometer stood at 34° at six in the morning. - -As we approached Sennah, the capital of the province of Ardelan, the -soil improved, and, if cultivated, would, no doubt, produce abundance -of grain; but its rude inhabitants prefer a pastoral life. They are, -if we may judge from what we saw, an uncommonly robust race, and -appear unchanged in their manners and customs by the twenty-three -centuries which have elapsed since the days of Xenophon, who would -have no difficulty, if permitted to return from the Elysian fields, to -recognize the descendants of the enemies he encountered amidst these -wilds. I made this observation to Baharām Meerzā, who had been sent by -the Waly of Sennah to welcome the Elchee, and remarked, at the same -time, the little care or knowledge they had about religion, though all -professed that of Mahomed. "It is all very true," he said, "but two or -three days will bring you to Sennah, and you will then see that though -we are Kūrds, and have a pride in being so, we are not all barbarians." - - -The evening before we went to Sennah, I read the introductory pages of -the history of the Kūrds. It is written by a native; and, according -to this patriotic author, all the virtue and courage this world has -ever known was nurtured amid the wilds and mountains of Kūrdistan. -Its inhabitants, he affirms, attained great glory in former ages, and -would have subjected the universe, but for the caution of the prophet -Mahomed, who, struck by the fierce look and gigantic form of a Kūrd -ambasssador, prayed to God that this formidable race might never be -united. This prayer was heard, adds my author; and the warriors of -Kūrdistan have ever since been at variance with each other. - -Sennah is so surrounded by hills that the town is not seen till you are -close to the suburbs. We were pleased with its appearance: the houses -are well built; and the gardens and cultivation in its vicinity came in -strong and pleasing contrast with the rugged lands through which we had -travelled for the last eight days. - -Two sons of Aman ollāh Khan, the Waly, or prince, came with three -hundred horse to meet, and welcome us to the court of their father. I -was delighted with the eldest of these boys. Though only ten years of -age, he rode and managed a very spirited charger with great address. In -his conversation he was free and unembarrassed, mixing the simplicity -of the child with the information of the man. He had, he said, been in -all parts of his father's territories, and appeared well acquainted -with the various tribes by which they were inhabited, answering every -question put to him by the Elchee on this subject with remarkable -clearness and correctness. - -The day after our arrival, we went to visit the Waly, who received -us in a magnificent style. We found him attended by his principal -officers; and the two boys, who had come to meet us, were standing -close to their father. The Elchee wished them to be seated; but that, -he was informed, was against the etiquette of this petty court. That -etiquette however was disturbed. A man came into the room, and spoke -to the Waly in the Kūrdish dialect. The prince laughed; and on the -Elchee asking what was the matter--"Nothing," said he, "except that -a spoilt child of mine, not four years of age, declares he will put -himself to death, unless allowed to see you as well as his brothers." -The Elchee entreated he might make his appearance, saying he was fond -of children, and much flattered by the boy's anxiety to see him. Soon -after, in marched this desperate little Kūrd, loaded with fine clothes. -He was tolerably bold at first, but took alarm when pressed by the -Elchee to sit near him; he appeared particularly startled by the cocked -hat and high feather. The Elchee, observing this, took out the feather -and gave it him to play with. This act of conciliation was completely -successful. After amusing himself with the feather for some time, the -little fellow ventured to take up the hat, examined it, and other parts -of our dress, and in a few minutes began to chatter in a manner which -delighted the father, who seemed much pleased with the attention paid -to his favourite. - -The Waly having returned the Elchee's visit, and invited us to dine -with him, we went to his palace, a small but handsome building. The -hall in which we were received was forty feet long, twenty-four broad, -and thirty high. A facing of white marble covered the walls of this -apartment to the height of eight feet, above that it was painted and -richly gilt. The chequered gilding of the roof had an appearance like -mosaic, which produced a good effect. Adjoining to this hall, and one -step more elevated, was a room twenty-four feet by eighteen, connected -with the interior of the palace by folding-doors, so admirably -finished, and the gilding of which so exactly corresponded with the -other ornaments of the apartment, that when shut it was difficult to -discover them. The front of the hall was supported by four richly -carved and gilt pillars, and opened on a terrace commanding a view of -the town. On this terrace was a fountain, adapted to its size and that -of the building. - -Persia is famous for its carpets; but none I had ever seen surpassed -in beauty that on which the Waly and his guests were seated in this -hall of his fathers. He appeared to have great pride in introducing -the Elchee to the persons by whom he was surrounded. None of them, he -said, counted less than eight or nine generations in the service of -his family, and some had been its firm and attached adherents during a -period of four centuries. - -"My country," he concluded, "is above two hundred miles in length, -and nearly as much in breadth. We owe and pay allegiance to the kings -of Persia, but we are exempted from that severity of rule which often -ruins our neighbours, who possess rich plains and wealthy cities. -Ardelan presents little temptation to an invader. It abounds in -nothing," he added, smiling, "but brave men and hardy horses." - -The Waly was pleased to find we had, from perusing the history of -Kūrdistan, become acquainted with all the great families of that -country, and were familiar with the names and actions of some of the -most renowned of his ancestors. He had a copy of the same history, -but it wanted some passages which were in that of the Elchee, which -he borrowed to have them transcribed. The Elchee was pleased, when -his volume was returned, to find an addition, which brought up the -history of the Walies of Ardelan to the present date, with a most -flattering and highly coloured account of the arrival of the British -mission at Sennah; an event which the author, in a truly eastern style, -predicted would henceforward be deemed an epoch in the annals of that -principality. - -The town of Sennah, which lies in N. lat. 35° 12', enjoys a fine -climate; the small valley in which it is situated being protected from -the severity of the winters in this elevated country, by the hills -around it. The prince and his chiefs live in great luxury, and the -inhabitants have all the appearance of enjoying competence, if not -affluence. Among them were forty families of Nestorian Christians, the -heads of which, with their pastor, visited the Elchee. There were many -of the same sect, the good priest informed us, in Kūrdistan, who had -resided there ever since its separation from the Greek church, a period -of thirteen centuries. As for himself and his little flock, he added, -they had a small church at Sennah, and were, as their fathers had been, -not only tolerated, but protected by the princes of Ardelan. This may -in part be ascribed to their being industrious and useful citizens, as -they are almost all either artizans or manufacturers. - -From subsequent conversations which the Elchee had with the Waly, -it appeared that though the kings of Persia had never attempted to -establish their own authority over Ardelan, or to interfere with -its internal administration, they have often disturbed its quiet, by -fomenting discord in the family of its ruler; and more than once have -obtained a temporary influence and power, by aiding a discontented or -revolted prince, to overthrow the direct line of succession. - -The contrast between the inhabitants of Sennah and of the neighbouring -hills is singularly striking. The first are little different in their -habits from citizens in Persia, while the latter are even more rude -than the wandering tribes of that country. You meet them, watching -their flocks of sheep and herds of cattle, within five or six miles -of the small but luxurious capital, and are surprised to find that -it is with pity, not envy, they regard its inhabitants. They glory -in the state and splendour of the prince and chiefs to whom they owe -hereditary allegiance, but look with contempt on the unwarlike, but -more civilized community, with whom those they obey are immediately -surrounded. - -Hamadān, the ancient Ecbatana, Kermen Shāh, once the residence of the -mighty Khoosroo; Bagdad and its caliphs, the renowned port of Balsorah, -and the southern shores of the Persian Gulph, are all before me. But -here these volumes must close. My efforts to amuse, and perhaps inform -my readers, are interrupted by circumstances, which, though they forbid -promise, warrant a hope, that if we are pleased with each other we may -meet again. - -FOOTNOTES: - -[160] The writer of the Hubeeb-ul-Syur is the authority quoted by Major -Price, from whose history of the Mahomedans this account is taken. -According to this work, an extraordinary difference was found in the -sun's altitude and declination, at corresponding periods, between -what was exhibited in the tables now framed by Naser-ood-Deen, and in -those formerly established; and an error of surprising magnitude was -detected in the mode that had hitherto been observed for adjusting the -commencement of the new year. - -[161] The first who established this sect in Persia was Hoosein Subah. -His followers hold the same tenets as those of Ismael in Egypt.--Vid. -Hist. Persia, vol. i. p. 395. - -[162] This treatise is called the Akhlāk-e-Nāsiree, and is deemed -one of the most valuable works which the Mahomedans possess on moral -philosophy. - -[163] The English word assassin is said to be derived from the term -Hooseinee, by which this sect was known. - -[164] This work is called Tarikh Akrād, or the History of the Kūrds. It -was given to the Elchee by the Kūrd chief of Mohezzee. - -[165] The Mahomedan name of this hero is Sallāh-ood-Deen. - -[166] This fort was taken from the Turks by Timoor, after a memorable -siege. Vide Hist. Persia, vol. i. p. 465. - -[167] The ancient Nineveh. - -[168] Assad-ood-Deen's death took place in the year of the Hegira 564. - -[169] "Kih yek dem na geered be-jahee kerrā." - -[170] Zabiteh. - -[171] Soobadar is the highest rank a native can attain in the Indian -army. This gallant soldier is now soobadar major of the body guard of -the governor of Madras. - - - London: W. CLOWES & SONS, Duke Street, Stamford Street. - - - - - * * * * * * - - - - -Transcriber's note: - -Obvious errors of punctuation were corrected. - -Inconsistent hyphenation and diacritics were made consistent. - -P. 32: reecital of passages -> recital of passages. - -P. 42: sweatmeats -> sweetmeats. - -P. 72: celebrated physican -> celebrated physician. - -P. 76: seach after truth -> search after truth. - -P. 129: prince of the the Zend family -> prince of the Zend family. - -P. 145: venemous species -> venomous species. - -P. 150: as to to its size -> as to its size. - -P. 165: Two dervises -> Two dervishes. - -P. 167: being unusal for him -> being unusual for him. - -P. 177: banished his presence -> banished from his presence. - -P. 183: frighful precipices -> frightful precipices. - -P. 208: embassadors -> ambassadors. - -P. 232: beeen compelled -> been compelled. - -P. 269: let me me fulfil my vow -> let me fulfil my vow. - -P. 274: the present governer -> the present governor. - - - -***END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK SKETCHES OF PERSIA*** - - -******* This file should be named 52189-8.txt or 52189-8.zip ******* - - -This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: -http://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/5/2/1/8/52189 - - -Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions will -be renamed. - -Creating the works from print editions not protected by U.S. copyright -law means that no one owns a United States copyright in these works, -so the Foundation (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United -States without permission and without paying copyright -royalties. 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You may copy it, give it away or re-use it -under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included with this -eBook or online at <a -href="http://www.gutenberg.org">www.gutenberg.org</a>. If you are not -located in the United States, you'll have to check the laws of the -country where you are located before using this ebook.</p> -<p>Title: Sketches of Persia</p> -<p>Author: John Malcolm</p> -<p>Release Date: May 29, 2016 [eBook #52189]</p> -<p>Language: English</p> -<p>Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1</p> -<p>***START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK SKETCHES OF PERSIA***</p> -<p> </p> -<h4>E-text prepared by Brian Coe, Moti Ben-Ari,<br /> - and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team<br /> - (<a href="http://www.pgdp.net">http://www.pgdp.net</a>)<br /> - from page images generously made available by<br /> - Internet Archive/American Libraries<br /> - (<a href="https://archive.org/details/americana">https://archive.org/details/americana</a>)</h4> -<p> </p> -<table border="0" style="background-color: #ccccff;margin: 0 auto;" cellpadding="10"> - <tr> - <td valign="top"> - Note: - </td> - <td> - Images of the original pages are available through - Internet Archive. See - <a href="https://archive.org/details/sketchesofpersia00malc"> - https://archive.org/details/sketchesofpersia00malc</a> - </td> - </tr> -</table> -<p> </p> -<hr class="full" /> -<p> </p> -<p> </p> -<p> </p> - -<p id="half-title">SKETCHES OF PERSIA.</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<h1>SKETCHES OF PERSIA.</h1> - -<p class="center spaced space-above"> -<span class="smcap">By SIR JOHN MALCOLM</span>,<br /> -AUTHOR OF 'HISTORY OF PERSIA,' 'HISTORY OF INDIA,' ETC., ETC.<br /> -<br /> -<i>NEW EDITION.</i><br /> -<br /> -LONDON:<br /> -JOHN MURRAY, ALBEMARLE STREET.<br /> -1861.<br /> -</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<div class="center"> -LONDON: PRINTED BY W. CLOWES AND SONS, STAMFORD STREET,<br /> -AND CHARING CROSS.<br /> -</div> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<div class="center"> -TO<br /> -<span class="smcap">JOHN FLEMING, Esq., M.D., F.R.S., &c.</span>,<br /> -LATE PRESIDENT OF THE MEDICAL BOARD OF CALCUTTA,<br /> -BY<br /> -HIS MOST SINCERE AND ATTACHED FRIEND,<br /> -THE AUTHOR.<br /> -</div> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_vii" id="Page_vii">[vii]</a></span></p> - -<h2>CONTENTS.</h2> - -<div class="center"> -<table border="0" cellpadding="1" cellspacing="0" summary=""> -<tr><td align="left"> </td><td align="right">Page</td></tr> -<tr><td align="left"><span class="smcap">Introduction</span></td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_xi">xi</a></td></tr> -<tr><td> </td></tr> -<tr><td align="left">CHAPTER I.</td></tr> -<tr><td align="left">Voyage from Bombay to the Persian Gulf</td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_1">1</a></td></tr> -<tr><td> </td></tr> -<tr><td align="left">CHAPTER II.</td></tr> -<tr><td align="left">Muscat</td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_6">6</a></td></tr> -<tr><td> </td></tr> -<tr><td align="left">CHAPTER III.</td></tr> -<tr><td align="left">The Persian Gulf and Abusheher</td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_15">15</a></td></tr> -<tr><td> </td></tr> -<tr><td align="left">CHAPTER IV.</td></tr> -<tr><td align="left">Camp at Abusheher—Horses—Abdūlla Aga—Anecdote of an Arab</td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_22">22</a></td></tr> -<tr><td> </td></tr> -<tr><td align="left">CHAPTER V.</td></tr> -<tr><td align="left">Hunting and hawking—Entertainment of the Shaikh—Tollemache—</td></tr> -<tr><td align="left">Mirage—Nadir Shāh and Turkish ambassador</td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_28">28</a></td></tr> -<tr><td> </td></tr> -<tr><td align="left">CHAPTER VI.</td></tr> -<tr><td align="left">Elchee's lectures—Mehmandar's journal—Arab nurse—Blue-Beard—</td></tr> -<tr><td align="left">Persian ceremony—King's picture</td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_37">37</a></td></tr> -<tr><td> </td></tr> -<tr><td align="left">CHAPTER VII.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_viii" id="Page_viii">[viii]</a></span></td></tr> -<tr><td align="left">Mountaineers—Valley of Kazeroon—Virtue of Nitric Acid—Rizā</td></tr> -<tr><td align="left">Kooli Khan's loss of eyes—Extraordinary birds—Beautiful</td></tr> -<tr><td align="left">valley of Desht-e-Arjun—Mahomet Rizā Khan Byat—Irish</td></tr> -<tr><td align="left">patriotism—Persian squire</td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_45">45</a></td></tr> -<tr><td> </td></tr> -<tr><td align="left">CHAPTER VIII.</td></tr> -<tr><td align="left">Principal characters of the mission—Mahomed Hoosein Khan—Jaffier</td></tr> -<tr><td align="left">Ali Khan—Meerzā Aga Meer—Mahomed Hoosein—Hajee</td></tr> -<tr><td align="left">Hoosein—Candidates for the Elchee's favour</td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_53">53</a></td></tr> -<tr><td> </td></tr> -<tr><td align="left">CHAPTER IX.</td></tr> -<tr><td align="left">Importance of forms—Description of those used at visits in Persia—</td></tr> -<tr><td align="left">Difficulties on this subject—Happy termination of a battle</td></tr> -<tr><td align="left">of ceremonies between the first mission and the petty court of</td></tr> -<tr><td align="left">Shiraz—Persian society—Fables and Apologues</td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_62">62</a></td></tr> -<tr><td> </td></tr> -<tr><td align="left">CHAPTER X.</td></tr> -<tr><td align="left">Fable of the two cats—Preamble to Persian treaty—Apologues</td></tr> -<tr><td align="left">from Sādee—Letter from Nizām-ool-Moolk to Mahomed Shāh—Death</td></tr> -<tr><td align="left">of Yezdijird</td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_77">77</a></td></tr> -<tr><td> </td></tr> -<tr><td align="left">CHAPTER XI.</td></tr> -<tr><td align="left">Shiraz—Shaikh-ool-Islūm, or Chief Judge—Story of Ald-ool-Kadir—</td></tr> -<tr><td align="left">Entertainments—Derveesh Seffer—Story of Abdūlla</td></tr> -<tr><td align="left">of Khorassan—Persian poet</td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_87">87</a></td></tr> -<tr><td> </td></tr> -<tr><td align="left">CHAPTER XII.</td></tr> -<tr><td align="left">Persian servants—Departure from Shiraz—Persepolis—Tale of the</td></tr> -<tr><td align="left">labours of Roostem—Anecdote of a sportsman</td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_105">105</a></td></tr> -<tr><td> </td></tr> -<tr><td align="left">CHAPTER XIII.</td></tr> -<tr><td align="left">Travellers and Antiquaries—Wild Ass—Hawking—Māder-e-Sūlimān—</td></tr> -<tr><td align="left">Akleed—Mirrors—Mehdee Khan—Isfahan—Persian citizens and</td></tr> -<tr><td align="left">peasantry—Shāh Abbas the Great—Hāroon-oor-Rasheed—Nethenz</td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_123">123</a></td></tr> -<tr><td> </td></tr> -<tr><td align="left">CHAPTER XIV.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_ix" id="Page_ix">[ix]</a></span></td></tr> -<tr><td align="left">Cashan—Scorpions—Cāshānee youth—Village of Sinsin—Plundering</td></tr> -<tr><td align="left">expeditions of the Tūrkāmāns—Account of that tribe—Wandering</td></tr> -<tr><td align="left">tribes—Visit to the dwelling of Mihrāb Khan—Afshār—Account</td></tr> -<tr><td align="left">of his family and adherents—Anecdote of Kerreem Khan</td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_145">145</a></td></tr> -<tr><td> </td></tr> -<tr><td align="left">CHAPTER XV.</td></tr> -<tr><td align="left">Arrival at Koom—Mahomedan ladies—their rights and privileges</td></tr> -<tr><td align="left">after marriage—Divorces—Story of Hajee Salāh, the cross-grained</td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_161">161</a></td></tr> -<tr><td> </td></tr> -<tr><td align="left">CHAPTER XVI.</td></tr> -<tr><td align="left">Departure from Koom—Poolee-Dellāk—Deryā-e-Kebeer—Valley</td></tr> -<tr><td align="left">of the Shadow of Death—Story of a Ghool—Remarks on</td></tr> -<tr><td align="left">Persian poetry</td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_180">180</a></td></tr> -<tr><td> </td></tr> -<tr><td align="left">CHAPTER XVII.</td></tr> -<tr><td align="left">Distant view of Teheran—Demavend—Rhe—Entrance into the</td></tr> -<tr><td align="left">capital—Hajee Ibrahim—Zāl Khan—Terms of courtesy</td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_197">197</a></td></tr> -<tr><td> </td></tr> -<tr><td align="left">CHAPTER XVIII.</td></tr> -<tr><td align="left">Terms of reception at court—Second visit—Delivery of presents—King's </td></tr> -<tr><td align="left">grant—Private interviews—King's ancestors—Crown</td></tr> -<tr><td align="left">jewels—King's love of a joke—Mode of passing his time—Harem—</td></tr> -<tr><td align="left">Royal meals—Hajee Ibrahim—His character and death</td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_207">207</a></td></tr> -<tr><td> </td></tr> -<tr><td align="left">CHAPTER XIX.</td></tr> -<tr><td align="left">Progress of the Russians—Buonaparte—Second visit to Tullanea—King</td></tr> -<tr><td align="left">Abbas Meerzā—Reflections—Electrifying machine—Phantasmagoria—</td></tr> -<tr><td align="left">Ministers of the Persian court—Mahomed Hoosein Khan Mervee</td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_225">225</a></td></tr> -</table> -</div> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_x" id="Page_x">[x]</a></span></p> - -<hr class="chap" /> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_xi" id="Page_xi">[xi]</a></span></p> - - -<h2>INTRODUCTION.</h2> - - -<p>Once upon a time this island of Great Britain had some -spots where men and women and little children dwelt, or -were believed to dwell, in innocence, ignorance, and content. -Travellers seldom visited them; poets saw them in -their dreams, and novelists told stories of them: but these -days are now past. Thanks to steam-boats and stagecoaches, -there is not a spot to which an ignorant or sage -human being can retire, where his eye will not be delighted -or offended by a dark column of smoke, or his ear gratified -or grated by the rattling wheels of a carriage. It -is perhaps a consequence of this invasion of retirement -that all are tempted from their homes, and that while one -half of the population is on the highways, the other half is -on the narrow seas. This love of travel, however, is in -the vast majority limited to the neighbouring countries of -Europe; but the ardour of curiosity, and an ambitious -desire of escaping from the beaten track, has of late years -induced not a few scientific and enterprising travellers to -overrun the renowned lands of Greece and Egypt, whose -inhabitants stare with astonishment at men flying with impatience<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_xii" id="Page_xii">[xii]</a></span> -from town to town, exploring ruins; measuring -pyramids; groping in dark caverns; analyzing the various -properties of earth, air, and water; carrying off mutilated -gods and goddesses; packing up common stones and -pebbles, as if they were rubies and diamonds; and even -bearing away the carcases of the dead, strangely preferring -the withered frame of a female mummy, which has been -mouldering for four thousand years in its sepulchre, to -the loveliest specimens of living and animated beauty.</p> - -<p>The uniformed natives of these countries, whose condition -is much to be deplored, are not aware that the great -Samuel Johnson has said, that "Whatever raises the past, -the distant, and the future, above the present, exalts us in -the dignity of human beings;" which is an unanswerably -good reason for the preference given to mummies over -every living object, however fascinating.</p> - -<p>The rage of the present day for mummies and other -delectable reliques of antiquity has deluged Egypt with -itinerant men of science and research, who have quite exhausted -that land of wonders; and those who have lately -visited it have been reduced, from actual want of other -aliment, to the necessity of preying upon their predecessors, -many of whom have been cruelly mangled, and some -wholly devoured.</p> - -<p>These wandering tribes of writers, who are, in a certain -degree, subject to the same motives which force the hordes -of Tartary to change their places of abode, have recently -begun to migrate into Syria, Asia Minor, and some have -actually penetrated as far as Persia. This has given me -no small alarm, for I have long had designs upon that -country myself: I had seen something of it, and had indulged<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_xiii" id="Page_xiii">[xiii]</a></span> -a hope that I might, at my leisure, gratify the -public by allowing them to participate in my stock of -information; but being of an indolent disposition, I deferred -the execution of this, my favourite plan, until that -anticipated period of repose, the prospect of which, however -distant, has always cheered a life of vicissitude and -labour.</p> - -<p>Nothing that had hitherto appeared respecting Persia at -all frightened me. I am no historian, therefore I did not -tremble at Sir John Malcolm's ponderous quartos; I am -no tourist, Mr. Morier's Journeys gave me no uneasiness; -the learned Researches of Sir William Ouseley were -enough to terrify an antiquarian, but that was not my -trade; and, as I happen to have clumsy, untaught fingers, -and little if any taste for the picturesque, I viewed without -alarm the splendid volumes of Sir Robert Ker Porter. -Far different, however, was the case when that rogue -Hajji Bābā made his appearance. I perused him with -anxiety, but was consoled by finding that, though he -approached the very borders of my province, he had made -no serious inroads. I was roused, however, into action, and -determined instantly to rummage those trunks into which -my sketches had been thrown as they were finished, and -where many of them had slumbered undisturbed for nearly -thirty years.</p> - -<p>I must warn the reader that the trunks here spoken of -bear no resemblance whatever to those imaginary boxes -which it has lately been the fashion to discover, filled with -MSS. unaccountably deposited in them by some strange -and mysterious wight; mine are all real, well-made, strong,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_xiv" id="Page_xiv">[xiv]</a></span> -iron-clamped boxes, which I had prepared with great care, -in order that they might preserve the papers I from time to -time intrusted to them. I am well aware that this plain -and true statement of the fact will, with many, diminish -the interest of these pages; but with others it will increase -it; for they will be gratified to find in them sketches taken -on the spot, while the facts and the feelings to which they -relate were fresh and warm before me; and I can truly -affirm, that the sense, the nonsense, the anecdotes, the -fables, and the tales,—all, in short, which these volumes -contain, with the exception of a few sage reflections of my -own, do actually belong to the good people amongst whom -they profess to have been collected.</p> - -<p>Yet, partial as I was to my secret hoard, it was long -before I could make up my mind to publish. While I -was one day musing upon the subject, my attention was -accidentally drawn to a volume of Persian poetry that was -lying on the table. A fāl or lot, I exclaimed, shall put an -end to my indecision! Saying which, according to the -usage of my Persian friends in like cases, I shut my eyes, -opened the book, and counting seven pages back, read the -first four lines, as follows:</p> - -<div class="poem"> -"Her kih sefer kerdeh pesendeedeh sheved<br /> -Z'āeena-e-noor kemāl-esh deedeh sheved<br /> -Pākeezeter ez āb nebāshed cheezee<br /> -Her jāh kih kooned mekām gendeedeh sheved."<br /> -<br /> -"Whoever has travelled shall be approved;<br /> -His perfections shall be reflected as from a mirror of light.<br /> -There can be nothing more pure than water;<br /> -But wherever it stagnates it becomes offensive."<br /> -</div> - -<p>My delight was excessive, and I despatched my manuscripts<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_xv" id="Page_xv">[xv]</a></span> -forthwith to the bookseller; who has been desired -to keep me minutely informed of the success of these -volumes; and a hint has been given him, that if they meet -with encouragement, the contents of the boxes before -mentioned are far from being exhausted.</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_xvi" id="Page_xvi">[xvi]</a></span></p> - -<h2>NOTE TO THE READER.</h2> - -<p>The usual orthography of some proper names has been -altered, with a view of rendering them more conformable to -the pronunciation and the grammar of the languages to which -they belong. For instance, our old friend and favourite, the -caliph Haroun-al-Raschid of the Arabian tales, appears under -his Arabic name of Hāroon-oor-Rasheed. The critical reader -will also discover that a few of the Eastern words have not always -been spelled exactly alike. This unintentional typographical -inaccuracy was caused by the peculiar circumstances under which -these volumes were printed.</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_1" id="Page_1">[1]</a></span></p> - -<div class="center"><big>SKETCHES OF PERSIA.</big></div> - -<h2>CHAPTER I.</h2> - -<blockquote> -<p>Voyage from Bombay to the Persian Gulf.</p> -</blockquote> - -<p>There is a monotony in a long sea-voyage, particularly to passengers, -which those who have never traversed the wide ocean -cannot well understand. A fair or contrary wind, a calm or a -storm, a man overboard, a strange sail, or the hooking of a shark, -are events which rouse for the moment; but the passenger soon -sinks again into his listless, restless life, sitting half an hour -below, walking another half hour on deck, holding on by the -rigging when the ship rolls, looking over the gangway when the -sea is smooth, watching the man casting the log, and waiting -with anxiety to hear the latitude announced at twelve o'clock. -His little incidents are, being in the way of the officer of the -watch when upon deck, and when below disturbing the captain's -calculations of the longitude, by laughing or talking with other -idlers; for that is the class in which he is registered in the -muster-roll of the crew. With me, however, there is a pursuit -which helps to beguile a long voyage. I am always on the lookout -for odd characters, and these abound at sea; from which -circumstance, I suppose, we have our common phrase of calling -an out-of-the-way person "an odd fish," alluding to the element -where he is generally found. Such a one I met on board the -frigate in which we sailed for Persia, and I shall give a sketch -of him as taken at the moment.</p> - -<p>This man, whose name was Peterson, was what he appeared -to be, a blunt sailor: his experience in the Indian seas recommended -him to the situation he now occupied, as acting master<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_2" id="Page_2">[2]</a></span> -of a frigate: he was a figure to play Falstaff, being very stout, -and nearly six feet high. He wore his clothes loose, and, when -he came on board, a sailor, struck with his appearance, turning -his quid as he eyed him, exclaimed, "We shall never be in distress -for canvass; our new master wears a spare set of sails."</p> - -<p>I shall give Peterson's history in his own words, as related -after dinner the day he came on board. "I have been," said he, -"thirty-two years at sea, and have seen both calms and storms. -When a young man, I was stuck full of arrows by some savage -Americans; and but for a tobacco-box, which stopped one that -hit upon a vital part, I should have gone to Davy's locker at -that time. Since I came to this country, twenty-eight years -ago, I have had many ups and downs, but weathered them all -pretty tolerably till three years since, when coming to Bombay -in a small sloop, I was laid on board by some pirates belonging -to Bate.<a name="FNanchor_1_1" id="FNanchor_1_1"></a><a href="#Footnote_1_1" class="fnanchor">[1]</a> We fought as well as we could, but the rascals were -too many for us, and while we were defending one part of the -vessel they sprung on board at another, giving a fire at the same -time, which killed my owner close beside me. A passenger then -jumped overboard, for which, thought I, 'you are a fool;' for -let the worst come to the worst, a man may do that at any time. -One of these fellows looking at me cried 'Mar haramee,' which -means, 'kill the rascal.' 'Mut mar,' 'don't kill him,' said a -soft-hearted looking fellow, and defended me from the blow; so -they did not kill me, but stripped and bound me to the capstan, -and away they took us to Bate. When we came there, the chief -or head fellow came on board, and I fully expected we should be -sent ashore and hanged. When this chap sent for me, I was a -pretty figure; I had not been shaved for three weeks, and I was -wrapped round with a top-gallant studding sail. 'What are -you?' said the fellow. 'An Englishman,' said I. 'Very well; -I won't kill you.' 'Faith,' thinks I, 'I'm very glad of that.' -'My people,' says he, 'are all big thieves.' 'Egad,' thinks I, -'you are the biggest of the gang.' He then asked me what -money or property I had; and I thought at one time he looked -as if he would have given it back; so I tells him all, even to my -gold watch. The whole was about five thousand rupees. 'Well, -well,' says he, 'it shall be taken care of;' and I suppose it was, -for I never saw a rap of it, only five rupees that the villain gave -me, in a present, as he called it, to bear my expenses when he -sent me and my crew to Bombay.</p> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_3" id="Page_3">[3]</a></span></p> -<p>"I left Bate, notwithstanding my losses, as happy as could be, -to get out of their clutches alive; and after some days we -reached Bombay in a pretty pickle; my feet were swelled, I had -not shaved since my capture, and I had only a few ragged clothes -on. Two rupees were left out of the five, and with them I went -to a tavern and ordered breakfast; when it was over I told one -of the servants to call his master. In came an English waiter, -with his head all powdered, shuffling and mincing, saying, as he -entered the room, 'Do you want me, Sir?' 'Yes,' says I, 'I -want you: I have been plundered, and have got no cash, and -will thank you to lend me twenty or thirty rupees.' 'What are -you—a common sailor?' 'Not quite,' says I; 'but I want the -money to get a few clothes, and then I can go to my friends.' -'I am not master of this house,' said this gentleman, and out he -skips. I saw no more of him or his twenty rupees; and when -I told a servant to get me a tiffin, he said I had not paid for my -breakfast. As I was jawing with this fellow, a Parsee<a name="FNanchor_2_2" id="FNanchor_2_2"></a><a href="#Footnote_2_2" class="fnanchor">[2]</a> came -in, and asked me if I had not better go to the bazar, and borrow -some clothes, and then go to my friends. Well, God knows, I -had not much heart to do any thing; for the unkindness of my -countryman, after all I had suffered, cut me just as if I had been -cut with a knife; but I thought I might as well follow the -Parsee, who was one of those fellows that go about Bombay -trying what they can make of every body they meet. I goes -first to one shop, and tries things on; and when they fit, I says, -'I will pay you to-morrow;' but the fellow says, 'No; ready -money.' Well, I was obliged to strip again: this happened at -four shops, and I was quite tired, when a good fellow, who keeps -No. 18, of the Great Bazar, said I might fit myself, and pay -when I could. I then got rigged, and stood away for Mr. -Adamson, whom I had before known. I met him at the door of -his house, and he did not know me; but when I told him my -story—'Oh!' says he, quite pitiful, 'are you the poor fellow -who has suffered so much? I will get you a berth in another -ship—and take this.' So saying, he gives me one hundred -rupees. Well, I thanked him; and next goes to Captain Phillips, -and got from him a present of two gold mohurs, and six suits of -good clothes, from top to toe. He made me report and write -three or four sheets about Bate, and how I had been used; and -then sent me to the governor, Mr. Duncan, who gets all the long -story from me again, and then gave me one hundred rupees. I -had now two hundred and thirty rupees and clean rigging. I -goes again to the tavern, and sings out lustily for tiffin. Well, -they look and sees I am quite a different thing from before, and -so become mighty civil and attentive. The waiter begs my -pardon—says he was mistaken—and that he had twenty rupees -ready, and would give me any aid I liked. 'D—n your aid,' -says I; 'you are very ready to give it to any person who does -not want it.' It was a great treat to me to serve him as I did: -I eat my tiffin, paid for it on the table, and left the house.</p> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_4" id="Page_4">[4]</a></span></p> -<p>"Well," said Peterson, "to make a long story short, I went -in a China ship, and last year got the command of a vessel -belonging to a Persian merchant, who trades to the Gulf. He -was a bad owner, had no credit, and, what with that and the -fear of the Arabs, I had a troublesome time of it. We parted; -and he has got another captain, rather black to be sure, but he -likes him all the better, I suppose, from being nearer his own -vile colour than I was; and I, by this means, being along shore, -having no money or credit, am glad to come as acting-master of -this here ship. I thank God I have good health, and don't -complain; many are worse off than I am."</p> - -<p>Such was our master's<a name="FNanchor_3_3" id="FNanchor_3_3"></a><a href="#Footnote_3_3" class="fnanchor">[3]</a> history. In a conversation I had -with him, as we were walking the deck, the day we arrived at -Muscat, I asked him if he had a wife? "No;" said he. "You -were never married, then?" "I didn't say so," he replied. "I -beg your pardon," said I. "Oh! no harm, no harm! the -honest truth never need be hid: I was married: but taking a -long voyage, being away seven years, and my letters (of which, -by the by, I wrote but few) miscarrying, what does my wife do, -but marries again. This I heard when I got home to England." -"And what did you do?" said I; "did you inquire after her?" -"Indeed I did not," said Peterson with great indifference; "I -didn't think her worth so much trouble; she was glad, I suppose, -to get rid of me, and, God knows, I was not sorry to be shot -of her."</p> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_5" id="Page_5">[5]</a></span></p> -<p>The vicissitudes to which sailors are subject train them to -bear what are termed the ups and downs of life better than any -other men in the world. They appear, when afloat, not only to -leave all their cares on shore, but to forget the hardships incident -to their condition. A remarkable instance of this was given by -our captain, who told us that he went one day to see a tender, -on board which there was a great number of men who had just -been pressed, and who, though strictly confined in their floating -prison, were, nevertheless, joining in the chorus of one of our -patriotic airs, and singing with great glee the old song:—</p> - -<p> -"Who are so free as we sons of the waves?"<br /> -</p> - -<div class="footnotes"><h3>FOOTNOTES:</h3> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_1_1" id="Footnote_1_1"></a><a href="#FNanchor_1_1"><span class="label">[1]</span></a> The island of Bate is situated at the north-western extremity of the -Gulf of Cutch.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_2_2" id="Footnote_2_2"></a><a href="#FNanchor_2_2"><span class="label">[2]</span></a> Parsee is the name of the descendants of the ancient Persians, who still -retain the usages and religion of their forefathers. There are many of these -followers of Zoroaster at Bombay, where they form, if not the most numerous, -the most respectable part of the native community.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_3_3" id="Footnote_3_3"></a><a href="#FNanchor_3_3"><span class="label">[3]</span></a> This old sailor is now no more. He continued unlucky till he found a -generous patron at Bombay, whose active benevolence gave repose and comfort -to his latter days.</p></div></div> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_6" id="Page_6">[6]</a></span></p> - - -<h2>CHAPTER II.</h2> - -<blockquote> -<p>Muscat.</p> -</blockquote> - -<p>"Land from the mast-head!" "What does it look like?" -"High land, sir, on the larboard bow, stretching away to the -north-west." "Can you see land to starboard?" "No." -"Then," says the captain, with some little swell, "we have just -hit it; the watch is a good one; and three or four hours of this -will bring us into Muscat." The prediction proved correct. -Now, if I understood perspective and retrospective, how I would -delight my readers by contrasting the barren rocky hills of -Arabia, where not a trace of vegetable nature is to be found, -with the shaded shores of Ceylon, and the dark forests that clothe -the lofty mountains of Malabar! But I am not a picturesque -traveller; suffice it therefore to say, the arid hills we were now -contemplating protect, by almost encircling it, a cove, at the -extremity of which is a small plain, crowded with high houses, -which form the city of Muscat. This emporium to the trade of -the Persian Gulf is defended by batteries which command its -narrow entrance, as well as by fortifications that cover every -part of the uneven and mis-shapen hills and crags around it.</p> - -<p>Muscat is governed by a prince whose title is Imām, and -whose authority, like that of many chiefs in Arabia, is more of a -patriarchal than despotic character. Though he has large fleets, -including some fine frigates, and a considerable army to garrison -his possessions on the coast of Africa, the shores of Arabia, -and the islands of the Persian Gulf, he must attend to the summons -of any inhabitant of Muscat who calls him to a court of -justice. Your sceptics who deny the existence of any just -administration of power, except in the commonwealth of Europe, -may call this a mere form. Be it so: yet the knowledge that -such a form was observed went far, in my mind, to mark the -character of this petty government. But it is the eye, the disposition,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_7" id="Page_7">[7]</a></span> -and the judgment of the observer, more than what is -actually seen, that stamps the condition of distant nations with -those who have to form their opinions at second-hand; and the -generality of readers, who have their happiness grounded on a -natural prejudice in favour of their own ways and usages, lean -toward such as minister to their pride and patriotism, by throwing -a dark shade on all they meet different from Old England, -or some of those countries in its vicinity, for which their good -climate, cheap viands, and well flavoured wines have created a -predilection.</p> - -<p>The eastern hemisphere continues to have a certain venerable -air with old men from a belief that the star of knowledge first -enlightened its horizon: children delight in it from its containing -the enchanting tales of the "Thousand and one Nights;" -ladies admire its flowered muslins, rich shawls, pure pearls, and -brilliant diamonds; merchants view it as a source of commercial -wealth; the naturalist, the botanist, and the geologist, search its -plains, its forests, and its mountains, for unicorns, spikenard, -splendid specimens of zeolite, and grand basaltic formations; the -English soldier looks to its fields for a harvest of reputation; -while pious missionaries sally forth with more than military zeal, -to reclaim the millions of the East from their errors, and direct -them in the path of life.</p> - -<p>Almost all these, however different their objects, concur in -one sentiment, that the rulers of the East are despots, and their -subjects slaves; that the former are cruel, the latter degraded -and miserable, and both equally ignorant.</p> - -<p>I had seen the father of the present Imām of Muscat when I -accompanied a former mission to Persia; we had been introduced -to him on board the Ganjava, his flag ship, of a thousand tons -burthen, and carrying forty guns. We found him, though surrounded -with some state, very simply attired; he had a shawl -rolled round his head as a turban, and the Arab cloak, which -hung over his plain robes, was of white broadcloth, no way -ornamented; he wore no jewels, and had no arms, not even a -dagger, about his person; his manner was plain and manly, and -marked his active enterprising character. The eyes of his crew -(Arabs, Nubians, and Abyssinians), who were upon or near the -quarter-deck, though they wandered now and then among his<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_8" id="Page_8">[8]</a></span> -visitors, were usually fixed on their prince; but their countenance -indicated affection, not fear; and I could not but observe that -he never looked at or spoke to any of them but with kindness.</p> - -<p>During this visit, while we were sitting under the awning -spread over the deck, several captains of his largest vessels, who -had just arrived from Bussorah, came on board. The Imām was -in the cabin with the Envoy, and before he came out, I was -pleased to see the hearty manner in which these commanders -saluted and were received by almost all on board. "Salām -alicum!" (Peace be with you!) was heard from all, while every -one who met a friend took his right hand, and, after shaking it, -raised it as high as his breast. What appeared singular, was -the extent of this cordial and familiar greeting; it was not -limited by those rules which are found necessary in more civilised -societies. The Arab sailor, however low his occupation, exhibited -an ease and independence in addressing the commanders, -which showed that, as far as the intercourse between man and -man was concerned, he deemed himself his equal. I asked a -person sitting near me, if this familiarity did not now and then -interfere with discipline? "No," he answered; "the line is well -understood, and in cases of deviation there is a severe punishment; -for with us, Arabs, the right of addressing our superiors, -as you have now seen, is our proudest privilege, and its loss, -which would be the consequence of the abuse of it, would be -deeply felt, both as a privation and a disgrace."</p> - -<p>The above scene was interrupted by the opening of the cabin -door, and every one fell into his place as the Imām came upon -deck. He stood while the commanders, who had returned from -their voyage, advanced in their turns, according to their rank, -and, taking his extended right hand in both theirs, pressed it, at -the same time bending their bodies in a low bow, after which -they raised their right hand in salutation to their head, then -placing it on their heart, retired backwards. The Imām, after -this ceremony was ended, seated himself, desiring us and all his -principal officers to do the same.</p> - -<p>We had a dinner prepared on board, of which the whole party -partook; and when we came away, I was struck, as we passed -under the stern of the vessel, by seeing some of the Imām's -ladies, among whom was his favourite wife, unveiled, looking at<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_9" id="Page_9">[9]</a></span> -us with eager curiosity. They appeared much pleased, which -we imputed to the notice the Envoy had taken of the Imām's -sons, two fine boys, each of whom was gratified with appropriate -presents.</p> - -<p>The view I had taken of the Imām's court—the intercourse -we had with him, his sons, and chief officers—the security which -I observed merchants and other inhabitants, both Mahomedan -and Hindu, enjoying at Muscat, gave me a very pleasing impression -of that place, and I had made a sketch of the manners -and customs of the people, no way unfavourable. This I showed -one day to a friend, who was a captain in the navy, who, rather -to my surprise, burst into a fit of laughter, and said, he could -show me a very opposite picture of the same scene. "There is -an order from the Admiralty," said he, "that the officers of a -man-of-war, when they visit a port little known, should describe -the manners and customs of the inhabitants. I have a blunt -fellow of a master, an excellent seaman, but who troubles himself -very little with matters on shore. Curious to have his observations, -and knowing that he had two or three times visited the -town of Muscat, I insisted on his complying with orders, and -filling up the column of his journal. He evaded this duty as -long as he could: at last, in despair, he went to his cabin, and -returning with his book, said, 'There, sir, I have obeyed orders, -and you will find all I could write about these black fellows, and -all they deserve.' I took the journal and read,</p> - -<div class="center"> -'Inhabitants of Muscat.<br /> -</div> - -<p>'As to manners they have none; and their customs are very -beastly.'"</p> - -<p>This picture of the good master will no doubt be deemed by -many truer than mine; and travellers who limit their observations -to the busy beach, crowded with slaves, covered with packages -of dates, blackened with flies, and scented with putrid salt -fish, will be certain to prefer this laconic description of this rude -and dirty people; or, supposing them to enter the vile narrow -streets of the town, and see (as they may) strings of slaves walking, -with a man following and calling out their prices as he exhibits -them in this ambulatory auction:—"Number one—handsome -young man, five hundred piastres; number two—a little older, -but very healthy and strong, four hundred piastres;" and so on<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_10" id="Page_10">[10]</a></span> -till he describes his whole string of unhappy bipeds:—who -would not turn with indignation and disgust from such filth and -abomination!</p> - -<p>If, however, we have nerve enough to look a little farther -into the scene which has been described, we shall find that the -reason why houses are crowded upon each other, till cleanliness -becomes impossible, is because men and their property are protected -at this port against injustice and oppression; and our disgust -at the effect will in a great degree be removed by contemplating -the cause. Even with regard to the sale of slaves, of -which Muscat is the great mart, though the mode of disposing -of them appears to justify the master's designation of the inhabitants -as "beastly in their customs," yet when we take a comparative -view of the fate of the victims of this commerce, from the -stain of which our own country is hardly yet purified, and which -is still carried on, openly or clandestinely, by almost every power -of civilised Europe, we shall be compelled to acknowledge the -superior humanity of Asiatic nations.</p> - -<p>The slave in eastern countries, after he is trained to service, -attains the condition of a favoured domestic; his adoption of the -religion of his master is usually the first step which conciliates -the latter. Except at a few sea-ports, he is seldom put to hard -labour. In Asia there are no fields tilled by slaves, no manufactories -in which they are doomed to toil; their occupations are -all of a domestic nature, and good behaviour is rewarded by -kindness and confidence, which raises them in the community to -which they belong. The term gholam, or slave, in Mahomedan -countries, is not one of opprobrium, nor does it even convey the -idea of a degraded condition. The Georgians, Nubians, and -Abyssinians, and even the Seedee, or Caffree, as the woolly-headed -Africans are called, are usually married, and their children, -who are termed house-born,<a name="FNanchor_4_4" id="FNanchor_4_4"></a><a href="#Footnote_4_4" class="fnanchor">[4]</a> become, in a manner, part of -their master's family. They are deemed the most attached of -his adherents: they often inherit a considerable portion of his -wealth; and not unfrequently (with the exception of the woolly-headed -Caffree) lose, by a marriage in his family, or by some -other equally respectable connexion, all trace of their origin.</p> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_11" id="Page_11">[11]</a></span></p> -<p>According to the Mahomedan law, the state of slavery is -divided into two conditions—the perfect and absolute, or imperfect -and privileged. Those who belong to the first class are, with -all their property, at the disposal of their masters. The second, -though they cannot, before emancipation, inherit or acquire -property, have many privileges, and cannot be sold or transferred. -A female, who has a child to her master, belongs to the -privileged class; as does a slave to whom his master has promised -his liberty, on the payment of a certain sum, or on his -death.</p> - -<p>The greatest encouragement is given in the Koran,<a name="FNanchor_5_5" id="FNanchor_5_5"></a><a href="#Footnote_5_5" class="fnanchor">[5]</a> and by all -commentaries on that volume, to the manumission of slaves. -Mahomed has said, "Unto such of your slaves as desire a -written instrument, allowing them to redeem themselves, on -paying a certain sum, write one, if ye know good in them, and -give them of the riches of God, which he hath given you."</p> - -<p>It is in obedience to this precept that pious Mahomedans often -grant small pieces of land to a slave, or teach him a profession, -that he may, through industry and frugality, attain the means of -paying for his freedom, at the same time that he acquires habits -which render him worthy of the great gift. Mahomedans are -also encouraged to manumit their slaves by the law, which gives -them a title, as residuary heir, to any property which the person -to whom they may have granted freedom dies possessed.</p> - -<p>On one point the slaves in Mahomedan countries are on a -footing with free females: they are only liable, for any crimes -they commit, to suffer half the punishment to which a free man -would be subject. This law proceeds on the ground of their not -being supposed on a par, as to knowledge or social ties, with -other parts of the community. The application, however, of -this principle of justice to cases where the law awards death or -amputation, has puzzled the wise Moullahs, or doctors, who have -resorted to the usual remedy, of writing ponderous volumes upon -the subject; but I do not learn that they have yet discovered a -plan by which an offending woman or slave can be punished with -the loss of half a life; or an operation be performed, which -will leave them with a half-amputated limb.</p> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_12" id="Page_12">[12]</a></span></p> -<p>To return to Muscat: I had visited it at all seasons; it was -now winter, and the climate was pleasant; in summer, the heat -is intolerable. Shut out by the hills from every breeze, except -that which blows directly into the narrow entrance of the cove, -there is seldom a breath of air; and the reflection of the sun, -from the bare rocks and white fortifications which overhang the -town and harbour, produces a temperature, which is described by -a Persian poet as giving to a panting sinner a lively anticipation -of his future destiny!</p> - -<p>The young Imām, Syed Sayed, was absent on an expedition; -but I regretted this the less as I had seen his father, who was, in -simplicity of manners, good sense, and courage, the equal of his -deserving son.</p> - -<p>Among the first who came on board, I was pleased to see my -old friend, Mahomed Gholoum. Being a good seaman, he had, -on the former mission, in the year 1800, acted as our pilot -from Muscat to Ormus. He was now advanced to be a pilot of -the state, being one of the principal ministers of the young Imām, -of whose character he spoke in high praise. "His father," said -he, "was a brave man; he was killed in battle; and if his son -goes on exposing himself everywhere, he will be killed also. He -will regret much not seeing the Envoy, of whose kindness to him -when a boy he retains a grateful recollection; for he preserves -with great care the model of a seventy-four gun ship, with which -he was presented by him."</p> - -<p>Mahomed Gholoum was not changed by his prosperity, but -retained all the frankness and manliness of an Arab sailor. We -had many old stories, and at one, in which he was a prominent -actor, he laughed very heartily. He had wished to take our -vessel, the Bombay frigate, to the southward of Ormus; but as -we neared that island, the wind headed us, as the sailors call it, -at the same time that it increased to a gale, and our pilot told -the captain we had nothing left but to run for the harbour we -desired to make, by steering between the island and the Persian -shore. We did so; the weather became worse—it blew a hurricane; -the channel, which is narrow, was missed, and we touched -on a mud-bank, where the ship settled for a moment, and the -waves dashed over her. The captain ordered more sail, to try -and force her through the mud, exclaiming at the same time, "I -would rather give a lac of rupees than lose the Company's ship." -"Never mind the Company's ship," said a passenger, "so you<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_13" id="Page_13">[13]</a></span> -land us safe." The seaman in the chains kept heaving the lead, -and calling "Quarter less three." "What is the use of your -quarter less three," said an impatient landsman, "when the -ship is aground?" "That's the captain's business, not mine," -said the unconcerned Jack, and again he hove, and again he -called "Quarter less three." At this moment my attention was -drawn to my friend Mahomed Gholoum, who was appalled by an -Irish officer's exclaiming, "I do not understand your vile lingo; -but I will cut your throat, (and he sawed with his finger across -his windpipe to make him comprehend what he meant,) I will -cut your throat, you ignoramus, for drowning of gentlemen in -this rascally sea."</p> - -<p>As these scenes were passing, the press of sail which had been -put upon our vessel forced her over the bank: a few minutes -more saw us safe in the harbour of Ormus, and all our danger -forgotten. Mahomed Gholoum, quite exhausted, had, soon after -we anchored, fallen asleep on a couch in the captain's cabin; but -he was dreaming of past events, and when I shook him, to make -him rise to partake of supper, he started up, and with a wild -look called out, "How many fathom have you?" We told him -to take his seat, and we would teach him, Mahomedan as he was, -to fathom a bowl.</p> - -<p>Soon after our arrival at Muscat, we were visited by men of -all nations and colours. I was principally attracted by the appearance -and manners of some Arabs from the interior, who -were brought on board by their countrymen to see an English -ship of war. Their figures were light and elastic, their countenances -expressed quickness and energy. The most remarkable -of their features were their dark rolling eyes, which perhaps -struck me more from their wandering rapidly from one object to -another, glistening with wonder at all they saw. A good telescope -happened to be placed so as to give a complete view of one -of the farthest fortifications. I called an Arab to look through -it, and he did so for about a minute, then gazed with the most -eager attention at me, and, without saying a word, dashed over -the ship's side. When the boat he was in got to a little distance, -he exclaimed, "You are magicians, and I now see how you take -towns; that thing (pointing to the telescope), be they ever so -far off, brings them as near as you like." We were much amused<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_14" id="Page_14">[14]</a></span> -with his simplicity, but no arguments could prevail on him to return -and receive such a lesson on optics as might dispel his delusion -in supposing us to be adepts in the black art.</p> - -<p>The Arabs at Muscat gave a luxuriant description of some -beautiful valleys about twenty miles from that town; but the -result of minute inquiry forced us to conclude that the green -meadows and clear streams they described owed much of their -value to their rarity, and that the title of Arabia the Happy is -rather founded on the barrenness of the far greater part of this -renowned land, than on anything wonderful either in the climate -or productions of the tract to which it is applied.</p> - - -<div class="footnotes"><h3>FOOTNOTES:</h3> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_4_4" id="Footnote_4_4"></a><a href="#FNanchor_4_4"><span class="label">[4]</span></a> Khāna-zādeh.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_5_5" id="Footnote_5_5"></a><a href="#FNanchor_5_5"><span class="label">[5]</span></a> Vide Sale's Koran, vol. ii, p. 186.</p></div></div> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_15" id="Page_15">[15]</a></span></p> - -<h2>CHAPTER III.</h2> - - -<blockquote> -<p>The Persian Gulf and Abusheher.</p> -</blockquote> - -<p>When we had fairly entered the Persian Gulf I found myself -on classic ground, where all the wonderful adventures of -Sinbad the sailor were, what a genuine Yankee would call located. -I sent for an Arabian servant called Khudādād, and asked him -who were the inhabitants of the barren shore of Arabia that we -saw. He answered, with apparent alarm—"They are of the sect -of Wahābees, and are called Jouassimee; but God preserve us -from them, for they are monsters. Their occupation is piracy, -and their delight murder; and to make it worse, they give you -the most pious reasons for every villainy they commit. They -abide by the letter of the sacred volume, rejecting all commentaries -and traditions. If you are their captive, and offer all -you possess to save your life, they say 'No! it is written in the -Koran that it is unlawful to plunder the living, but we are not -prohibited in that sacred work from stripping the dead;' so -saying, they knock you on the head. But then," continued -Khudādād, "that is not so much their fault, for they are descended -from a Houl, or monster, and they act according to their -nature."</p> - -<p>I begged he would inform me about their descent. He seemed -surprised at my ignorance, and said it was a story that he thought -was known to every one in the world, but proceeded to comply -with my request.</p> - -<p>"An Arab fisherman," said he, "who lived in a village on the -Persian Gulf, not far from Gombroon, being one day busy at -his usual occupation, found his net so heavy that he could hardly -drag it on shore. Exulting in his good fortune, he exerted all -his strength: but judge of his astonishment, when, instead of a -shoal of fish, he saw in his net an animal of the shape of a man, -but covered with hair. He approached it with caution; but<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_16" id="Page_16">[16]</a></span> -finding it harmless, carried it to his house, where it soon became -a favourite; for, though it could speak no language, and utter -no sound except 'houl, houl,' (from whence it took its name,) -it was extremely docile and intelligent; and the fisherman, who -possessed some property, employed it to guard his flocks.</p> - -<p>"It happened one day that a hundred Persian horsemen, -clothed in complete armour, came from the interior, and began -to drive away the sheep. The Houl, who was alone, and had -no arms but a club, made signs for them to desist; but they only -scoffed at his unnatural appearance, till he slew one or two who -approached too near him. They now attacked him in a body; -but his courage and strength were surpassed by his activity, and -while all fell who came within his reach, he eluded every blow -of his enemies; and they fled, after losing half their numbers.</p> - -<p>"The fisherman and his neighbours, when they heard of the -battle, hastened to the aid of the faithful Houl, whom they -found in possession of the horses, clothes, and arms of the vanquished -Persians. An Arab of the village, struck with his -valour, and casting an eye of cupidity at the wealth he had -acquired, offered him the hand of his daughter, who was very -beautiful, and she, preferring good qualities to outward appearance, -showed no reluctance to become the bride of this kind and -gallant monster. Their marriage was celebrated with more pomp -than was ever before known in the village; and the Houl, who -was dressed in one of the richest suits of the Persians he had -slain, and mounted on one of their finest horses, looked surprisingly -well. He was quite beside himself with joy, playing -such antics, and exhibiting such good humour, strength, and -agility, that his bride, who had at first been pitied, became the -envy of every fisherman's daughter. She would have been more -so, could they have foreseen the fame to which she was destined. -She had four sons, from whom are descended the four tribes of -Ben Jouassim, Ben Ahmed, Ben Nasir, and Ben Saboohil, who -are to this day known by the general name of Ben Houl, or the -children of Houl. They are all fishermen, boatmen, and pirates, -and live chiefly at sea, inheriting, it is believed, the amphibious -nature of their common ancestor."</p> - -<p>After this tale was concluded, I asked Khudādād what kind of -men inhabited those high mountains which we saw rising on the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_17" id="Page_17">[17]</a></span> -Persian shores of the gulf. Delighted at this second opportunity -of showing his knowledge, he replied, "They also are robbers, -but they are not so bad as the Jouassimee. They refer their first -settlement in these mountains to the devil; but then they are the -children of men, and their nature is not diabolical, though their -deeds are sometimes very like it."</p> - -<p>On questioning Khudādād further, I found he had the popular -story taken from Firdousee,<a name="FNanchor_6_6" id="FNanchor_6_6"></a><a href="#Footnote_6_6" class="fnanchor">[6]</a> and that he kept pretty near to -his text; but I shall give it in his own words. "You have -heard of Zohāk, prince of Arabia?" I said I had. "Well -then," he continued, "you know he was a very wicked man. -He conquered Jemsheed, king of Persia, who was in those days -deemed the most glorious monarch on earth. After this great -success Zohāk was tempted by the devil, who allured him, under -the shape of a venerable old man, to kill his father, that he -might become king of Arabia as well as Persia. In those days -men lived on vegetable diet; but the devil, anxious to destroy -as many of the human race as he could, tempted Zohāk with -some new roasted eggs, and perceiving him to relish his food, -proposed to cook him a dish of partridges and quails, with the -flavour of which the Prince was so delighted that he bade his friend -ask any favour he liked. The wily old man said all he wished was -to kiss the shoulders of his beloved monarch. They were bared -for that purpose; but no sooner had the infernal lips touched -them than out sprang from each a ravenous serpent, and at the -same time the venerable old man changed to his natural shape, -and disappeared in a thunder-storm, exclaiming that human -brains alone would satisfy the monsters he had created, and that -their death would be followed by that of Zohāk.</p> - -<p>"It fell out as the devil foretold: the serpents refused all -other food, and, for a period, two victims were daily slain to -satisfy them. Those charged with the preparation of this horrid -repast, seeing the devil's design, determined on frustrating it; -and while they paraded before Zohāk and his serpents the persons -who were doomed to death, they substituted the brains of -sheep, and sent their supposed human victims to the mountains -of Kerman and Lauristan, where they increased, and became a -great people, and their descendants still inhabit these hills. -There can be no doubt," said Khudādād, gravely, "of the truth -of what I have told you; for it is all written in a book, and a fine -poem made upon it, which is called the Shāh-nāmeh, or Book of -Kings."</p> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_18" id="Page_18">[18]</a></span></p> -<p>Having acquired this correct information about the shores of -the gulf, I landed at Abusheher,<a name="FNanchor_7_7" id="FNanchor_7_7"></a><a href="#Footnote_7_7" class="fnanchor">[7]</a> a Persian sea-port, celebrated -as the mart of chintzes and long-ells, of dates and asafœtida. -We were met on the beach by the whole population of the town. -What appeared to excite most admiration was the light company of -His Majesty's 84th Regiment, whose uniform appearance caused -no slight wonder. Struck with their similarity of look, one man -exclaimed, "These fellows must all have had the same father -and mother!" "That cannot be," said another, "for they must -all have been born on the same day." "They are proper devils, -I'll warrant them," said an old woman, who had been looking -at them very attentively. They had now received the order to -march; and the regularity with which their feet moved was a -new subject of surprise. An old merchant, called Hajee Ismael, -whose life had been spent amongst his accounts, and who delighted -in everything that was regular, stood at a corner as they -passed in files, and kept saying, as he noted them with his -fingers, "correct,<a name="FNanchor_8_8" id="FNanchor_8_8"></a><a href="#Footnote_8_8" class="fnanchor">[8]</a> correct, correct." Take it all in all, our -landing seemed to give great pleasure to the men, women, and -children of the port of Abusheher.</p> - -<p>We had not been on shore a week before two events occurred, -one of which showed what the Persians thought of us, and the -other taught us what we should think of them.</p> - -<p>Before the year 1800 no political mission from an European -nation had visited the court of Persia for a century; but the -English, though only known in that kingdom as merchants, had -fame as soldiers, from the report of their deeds in India. An -officer of one of the frigates, who had gone ashore to visit the -Envoy, when mounted on a spirited horse, afforded no small -entertainment to the Persians by his bad horsemanship. The -next day the man who supplied the ship with vegetables, and who -spoke a little English, met him on board, and said, "Don't be -ashamed, sir, nobody knows you: bad rider! I tell them, you, -like all English, ride well, but that time they see you, very -drunk!" We were much amused at this conception of our -national character. The Persian thought it would have been a -reproach for a man of a warlike nation not to ride well, but -none for an European to get drunk.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_19" id="Page_19">[19]</a></span></p> - -<p>The other occurrence was still more characteristic. The -Envoy or Elchee,<a name="FNanchor_9_9" id="FNanchor_9_9"></a><a href="#Footnote_9_9" class="fnanchor">[9]</a> as the Persians called him, had, among other -plans for doing good, one for the introduction of potatoes. -Among those who listened to him, and applauded his disinterested -intentions to benefit Persia, was a fat, smooth-faced -young merchant, who obtained a promise of a considerable -quantity of potatoes for seed, having (according to his own -report) rented a large piece of ground, that he might be an -humble instrument in the hands of the British Representative for -doing good. The latter, pleased with his zeal, honoured this -excellent man with such particular attention, that, conceiving -himself a prime favourite, he ventured one day to suggest that -"As the season was too far advanced for the potatoe-garden that -year, it would not be unworthy of the Elchee's wonted liberality -to commute his intended present for a pair of pistols, or a piece -of British broadcloth." This premature disclosure of the real -object of this professed improver of the soil produced no little -ridicule, in which his countrymen, who were jealous of the -favour he had enjoyed, joined most heartily. He was known till -the day of his death, which happened three years ago, by the -name of Potatoes. It is satisfactory to add, that the plan for -introducing this valuable root did not fail: they were found to -flourish at Abusheher, where they are called "Malcolm's<a name="FNanchor_10_10" id="FNanchor_10_10"></a><a href="#Footnote_10_10" class="fnanchor">[10]</a> -plum," after the Elchee, who looks to the accident which gave -his name to a useful vegetable as one of his best chances of -enduring fame.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_20" id="Page_20">[20]</a></span></p> - -<p>The English factory, which had long been at Gombroon, had -been removed some years before to Abusheher. All the old -servants had accompanied it, and one, of the name of Suffer, had -recently died, of whom I was delighted to hear, from the best -authority, an anecdote, which did credit to the kindness of our -countrymen, while it showed that even in this soil, good usage -will generate strong and lasting attachment. When poor Suffer, -who had been fifty years a servant in the factory, was on his -death-bed, the English doctor ordered him a glass of wine. He -at first refused it, saying, "I cannot take it; it is forbidden in -the Koran." But after a few moments he begged the doctor to -give it him, saying, as he raised himself in his bed, "Give me -the wine; for it is written in the same volume, that all you unbelievers -will be excluded from Paradise; and the experience of -fifty years teaches me to prefer your society in the other world, -to any place unto which I can be advanced with my own countrymen." -He died a few hours after this sally, which I was glad -to observe proved of value to his son, a rough-looking lad named -Derveish, who was introduced by the Resident to the Envoy, at -the time the former told the story of the father's attachment. -Derveish was taken into service, and I have watched his gradual -advancement till he has become the proprietor of a large boat, -which is the ne plus ultra of the ambition of an Abusheheree.</p> - -<p>The natives of this place are almost all of Arab race, and fond -of the sea; a propensity the more remarkable, as it is in such -strong contrast with the disposition of the Persians, of whom all -classes have an unconquerable antipathy to that element. But -this is not the only characteristic distinction between these classes -of men, who appear to agree in nothing but in dwelling in the -same town. The Persians, who have been tempted by the hope -of gain to exchange the fine climate of the elevated plains of the -interior, for the sea-ports on the edge of the sultry desert, which -forms the shores of the gulf, retain all the smooth pliant manners -of their country; and they look with disgust on what they deem -the rude barbarous habits of the Arabians, who are the great -body of the inhabitants of this track, and who can scarcely be -distinguished, either in look or sentiment, from their kindred on -the opposite shore.</p> - -<p>A remarkable instance of the difference of character, between -the lower orders of these two classes, occurred one morning,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_21" id="Page_21">[21]</a></span> -when the Envoy was preparing a match, to be run by a beautiful -English greyhound called Venus, and a strong Arabian dog -named Kessāb, or the Butcher. He was giving directions to his -master of the chase, Hyder, and expressing his sanguine hopes of -Venus's success: Mahomed Beg, a tall well-dressed Persian -groom, assented to all his anticipations, saying, "What pretensions -can that Arab dog have to run with the beautiful greyhound -of the Elchee?"</p> - -<p>Others joined in the same language, and the opinion appeared -general, when an Arab, called Gherreeba,<a name="FNanchor_11_11" id="FNanchor_11_11"></a><a href="#Footnote_11_11" class="fnanchor">[11]</a> whose pay was only -four piastres<a name="FNanchor_12_12" id="FNanchor_12_12"></a><a href="#Footnote_12_12" class="fnanchor">[12]</a> a month, whose chequered turban and cloth round -his middle were not worth one, and whose occupation was sitting -all day exposed to the sun, watering some grass screens that were -placed against the door of the house to exclude the heat—darted -up, and, with an eye of fire and the most marked energy, -exclaimed, "By the all-powerful God, the Arab dog will -triumph."<a name="FNanchor_13_13" id="FNanchor_13_13"></a><a href="#Footnote_13_13" class="fnanchor">[13]</a></p> - -<p>Gherreeba was for the moment the representative of the -feelings of his country. The parasites around stood watching the -Elchee, and were not a little mortified when they heard him -applaud the honest warmth and manly independence of the poor -Arab, who was invited to witness the trial. It ended, like most -similar trials, in each party being convinced that their own -favourite was, or ought to have been, the winner. The dogs -ran as usual beautifully: Venus was by far the fleetest; but the -chase, which was after a half-grown antelope, proved long, and -the strength of the Butcher prevailed towards the close. It is -however, justice to the deer species, while we are praising the -canine, to add, that the antelope beat them both.</p> - -<div class="footnotes"><h3>FOOTNOTES:</h3> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_6_6" id="Footnote_6_6"></a><a href="#FNanchor_6_6"><span class="label">[6]</span></a> Firdousee is the first of the epic poets of Persia, and few countries can -boast of a greater genius. His chief work, the Shāh-nāmeh, or Book of -Kings, contains, mixed with allegory and fable, almost all the Persians know -of their ancient history.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_7_7" id="Footnote_7_7"></a><a href="#FNanchor_7_7"><span class="label">[7]</span></a> Abusheher is the proper name, but it is better known to Europeans by -the abbreviated appellation of Bushire.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_8_8" id="Footnote_8_8"></a><a href="#FNanchor_8_8"><span class="label">[8]</span></a> "Hissab," the Persian word, literally means an account; metaphorically, -"correct, or according to a just account."</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_9_9" id="Footnote_9_9"></a><a href="#FNanchor_9_9"><span class="label">[9]</span></a> Elchee means ambassador, or representative of a foreign nation.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_10_10" id="Footnote_10_10"></a><a href="#FNanchor_10_10"><span class="label">[10]</span></a> Alou, e, Malcolm.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_11_11" id="Footnote_11_11"></a><a href="#FNanchor_11_11"><span class="label">[11]</span></a> Gherreeb means poor—this man was really so; but it is not unusual -to meet Mahomedans, who are remarkable for their rank, pride, or wealth, -with names of similar character, that have been given by their mothers in a -spirit of religious humility.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_12_12" id="Footnote_12_12"></a><a href="#FNanchor_12_12"><span class="label">[12]</span></a> The value of a piastre is about twenty pence.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_13_13" id="Footnote_13_13"></a><a href="#FNanchor_13_13"><span class="label">[13]</span></a> Billāh il azeem yadhfar al Arab.</p></div> -</div> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_22" id="Page_22">[22]</a></span></p> - - -<h2>CHAPTER IV.</h2> - -<blockquote><p>Camp at Abusheher—Horses—Abdūlla Aga—Anecdote of Arab.</p> -</blockquote> - -<p>Soon after we arrived at Abusheher our camp looked like a fair -for horses and mules. It was necessary to mount, not only the -Elchee and his suite, but his escort of English and Indian -cavalry, and all the servants, public and private; for in Persia -nobody walks. To suit the different persons of our party, animals -of different descriptions were wanted; from the coarse -Persian galloway<a name="FNanchor_14_14" id="FNanchor_14_14"></a><a href="#Footnote_14_14" class="fnanchor">[14]</a> to the Arabian of pure strain,<a name="FNanchor_15_15" id="FNanchor_15_15"></a><a href="#Footnote_15_15" class="fnanchor">[15]</a> many of which -are bred on the Persian shore, with as much attention to preserve -the original blood, as imported from Arabia, as could be -shown in the first race-studs in England.</p> - -<p>Hyder, the Elchee's master of the chase, was the person who -imparted knowledge to me on all subjects relating to Arabian -horses. He would descant by the hour on the qualities of a colt -that was yet untried, but which, he concluded, must possess all -the perfections of its sire and dam, with whose histories, and -that of their progenitors, he was well acquainted. Hyder had -shares in five or six famous brood mares; and he told me a mare -was sometimes divided amongst ten or twelve Arabs, which -accounted for the groups of half-naked fellows whom I saw -watching, with anxiety, the progress made by their managing -partner in a bargain for one of the produce. They often displayed, -on these occasions, no small violence of temper; and I -have more than once observed a party leading off their ragged -colt in a perfect fury, at the blood of Daghee or Shumehtee, or -some renowned sire or grandsire, being depreciated by an inadequate -offer, from an ignorant Indian or European.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_23" id="Page_23">[23]</a></span></p> - -<p>The Arabs place still more value on their mares than on their -horses; but even the latter are sometimes esteemed beyond all -price. When the Envoy, returning from his former mission, -was encamped near Bagdad, an Arab rode a bright bay horse, -of extraordinary shape and beauty, before his tent, till he attracted -his notice. On being asked if he would sell him—"What -will you give me?" said he. "It depends upon his age; I suppose -he is past five?" "Guess again," was the reply. "Four?" -"Look at his mouth," said the Arab, with a smile. On examination -he was found rising three; this, from his size and perfect -symmetry, greatly enhanced his value. The Envoy said, "I -will give you fifty tomans."<a name="FNanchor_16_16" id="FNanchor_16_16"></a><a href="#Footnote_16_16" class="fnanchor">[16]</a> "A little more, if you please," -said the fellow, apparently entertained. "Eighty! a hundred!" -He shook his head and smiled. The offer came at last to two -hundred tomans! "Well," said the Arab, seemingly quite -satisfied, "you need not tempt me any farther—it is of no use; -you are a fine Elchee; you have fine horses, camels, and mules, -and I am told you have loads of silver and gold: now," added -he, "you want my colt, but you shall not have him for all you -have got." So saying he rode off to the desert, whence he had -come, and where he, no doubt, amused his brethren with an -account of what had passed between him and the European -Envoy.</p> - -<p>Inquiry was made of some officers of the Pasha of Bagdad -respecting this young man; they did not know him, but conjectured -that, notwithstanding his homely appearance, he was the -son or brother of a chief, or perhaps himself the head of a family; -and such Arabs, they said, when in comparative affluence, no -money could bribe to sell a horse like the one described.</p> - -<p>I was one day relating the above story to Abdūlla Aga, the -former governor of Bussorah, who was at Abusheher, having been -obliged to fly from Turkey. He told me that, when in authority, he -several times had great trouble in adjusting disputes among Arab -tribes regarding a horse or mare which had been carried off by -one of them from another; not on account of the value of the -animals, that having been often offered ten-fold, but from jealousy -of their neighbour's becoming possessed of a breed of -horses which they desired to remain exclusively in their own -tribe. An Arab Shaikh or chief, he told me, who lived within -fifty miles of Bussorah, had a favourite breed of horses. He lost -one of his best mares, and could not for a long time discover -whether she was stolen or had strayed. Some time afterwards, -a young man of a different tribe, who had long wished to marry -his daughter, but had always been rejected by the Shaikh, obtained -the lady's consent and eloped with her. The Shaikh and -his followers pursued; but the lover and his mistress, mounted -on the same horse, made a wonderful march, and escaped. The -old chief swore that the fellow was either mounted upon the -devil or the favourite mare he had lost. After his return he -found, on inquiry, the latter was the case; that the lover was -the thief of his mare as well as of his daughter, and that he had -stolen the one for the purpose of carrying off the other. He -was quite gratified to think he had not been beaten by a horse -of another breed, and was easily reconciled to the young man, in -order that he might recover the mare, which appeared an object -about which he was more solicitous than his daughter.</p> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_24" id="Page_24">[24]</a></span></p> -<p>Abdūlla Aga is a man in whose company I take great pleasure. -His understanding is vigorous and strong, and he has -sufficient knowledge of the English character to speak his sentiments -with freedom and confidence. I shall give the substance -of a conversation I had with him about two weeks after my -arrival, regarding the present condition of Persia and Turkey, -with the resources and character of both which states he is intimately -acquainted. Speaking of Turkey, he said he had no idea -of its having the power to resist the slightest attack; and he -believed, if left alone, it would soon fall to pieces of itself.—"I -am myself a Turk, and know my countrymen well: from the -Grand Signior to the lowest peasant in the empire, they are -alike devoid of public virtue and patriotism; and that spirit of -religion, which has long been the only bond of union that has -kept this unwieldy state together, is every day becoming fainter; -and while the Wahābees are making converts of the inhabitants -of Arabia and Syria, the provinces of Turkey in Europe are -relaxing from their religious zeal, and becoming every day more -ripe for the rule of those Christian nations, under whose power -they must soon fall."</p> - -<p>I could not help saying, I thought he drew an overcharged -picture of the weak and distracted state of his country. "You<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_25" id="Page_25">[25]</a></span> -will soon see," he said, "whether I am right or wrong. No -man, whatever may be his rank, looks beyond his beard in Turkey: if -he can find any expedient that gives him a prospect of its -growing grey in quiet, he is content; and where all are so decidedly -selfish in their views, who is to provide for the safety of -the state, to guard which there must be some common sentiment -of union?"</p> - -<p>"What think you of Persia?" I asked. "Why, twenty -times worse than of Turkey," replied he; "because they are -to the full as devoid of every public principle, and much more -ignorant. Believe me, you will soon be satisfied that they -deserve this character. Can there be a doubt, at the present -moment, how they ought to act between you and the French? -And yet you will be able to settle nothing with them that is in -the least satisfactory, without heavy bribes or harsh measures. -The latter," he added, "will be the wisest in the present instance; -for to feed their cupidity is only to whet their appetite, and to -encourage them in a course that will, in its result, prove as injurious -to these short-sighted fools as to the interests of the English -government."</p> - -<p>"The Elchee's intentions are so friendly," I observed in reply, -"and his wishes so correspond with their true interests, that -they must, I think, meet them, when all the advantages are -explained." "Before you anticipate success from such an explanation, -you should be certain that those to whom you speak have -sense to comprehend you, which the Persians certainly have not. -They think of nothing at this moment but the Russians, with -whom they have discovered they are not able to contend. The -French pretend to relieve them from this formidable danger, -which they have not themselves the courage to face; and they -cling to this promise without ever considering how far those who -make it have the means of performing it. They neither understand -the nature or distance of the resources of England or France, -and are consequently incapable of forming a correct idea of the -comparative power which those states possess of aiding or injuring -them. They know that Bombay is within a month's sail, Madras -six weeks, and Calcutta two months; and they believe you have -some ships at these places; but even of these they have no clear -idea; and as to Europe, they are as ignorant as an Abyssinian."</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_26" id="Page_26">[26]</a></span></p> - -<p>"Assuredly," said I, "you underrate their knowledge." "I -do not," said Abdūlla; "they are worse than I have painted -them, and their ignorance is so fortified by pride, that there is -no hope of their amendment. Why (said he, with animation), -what can you expect from men who are ignorant of the surface -of the globe? There," said he, pointing to a rude Turkish book -on geography, which lay near him, and appeared to be a translation -from an old geographical grammar—"there is the only -source of my knowledge, which does not place me on a par with -one of your schoolboys of twelve years of age; and yet I am a -wonder among these fools, who are astonished at the extent of -my information in this branch of science."</p> - -<p>Though I think it is a very deep and wise observation of that -arch politician Machiavel, that the report of a man who has fled -his country should not be implicitly trusted, as there must be a -bias in his mind to depreciate what he has been obliged to abandon: -still there is much truth in the picture which Abdūlla -drew of Turkey, and his description of the Persians was not -greatly exaggerated. The knowledge of that nation is limited -to what they see before them, and their ideas of other States are -very indistinct and confused, and consequently liable to frequent -fluctuations and changes. All ranks in Persia are brought up to -admire show and parade; and they are more likely to act from -the dictates of imagination and vanity, than of reason and judgment. -Their character was well drawn by Mahomed Nubbee -Khan, the late ambassador to India. "If you wish my countrymen -to understand you, speak to their eyes, not their ears."</p> - -<p>My conversation with Abdūlla Aga was interrupted by the -arrival of a medical gentleman, who had long resided at -Abusheher, and who was not more remarkable for skill in his -profession than a kindness of heart, which led him to devote his -time to the poor inhabitants of the country who sought his aid. -He had just been setting the broken leg of an Arab, of whom he -gave us a very characteristic anecdote.</p> - -<p>"The patient," the doctor said, "complained more of the -accident which had befallen him than I thought becoming in -one of his tribe. This I remarked to him, and his answer was -truly amusing. 'Do not think, doctor, I should have uttered -one word of complaint if my own high-bred colt, in a playful<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_27" id="Page_27">[27]</a></span> -kick, had broke both my legs; but to have a bone broken by a -brute of a jackass is too bad, and I will complain.'"</p> - -<p>This distinction of feeling, as to the mode in which bones are -broken, is not confined to the Arabs. I once met an artilleryman, -after an action in India, with his arm shattered, who was -loudly lamenting his bad fortune. I pointed, in an upbraiding -manner, to some fine fellows on the ground, whose luck had been -worse. "It is not the wound, sir," he retorted, in a passion, -"of which I complain: had I lost a limb by a cannon-ball, I -should not have said a word; but to lose one by a rascally rocket -would make any one mad!"</p> - - -<div class="footnotes"><h3>FOOTNOTES:</h3> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_14_14" id="Footnote_14_14"></a><a href="#FNanchor_14_14"><span class="label">[14]</span></a> Yaboo.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_15_15" id="Footnote_15_15"></a><a href="#FNanchor_15_15"><span class="label">[15]</span></a> <i>Regee Pak</i>, the term by which these high-bred animals are distinguished, -means literally "pure veins."</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_16_16" id="Footnote_16_16"></a><a href="#FNanchor_16_16"><span class="label">[16]</span></a> A toman is a nominal coin, nearly the value of a pound sterling.</p></div></div> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_28" id="Page_28">[28]</a></span></p> - - -<h2>CHAPTER V.</h2> - -<blockquote> - -<p>Hunting and Hawking—Entertainment of the Shaikh—Tollemache—Mirage—Nadir -Shāh and Turkish Ambassador.</p></blockquote> - - -<p>We were kept several weeks at Abusheher; and among other -amusements by which we beguiled the tedium of our sojourn at -this dull sea-port, were those of hunting and hawking; which, -according to the Nimrods of our party, are nowhere found in -greater perfection: but as the mode of killing the game differs -essentially from that of other countries, I shall describe it, that -such sportsmen as can read may judge of its merits.</p> - -<p>The huntsmen proceed to a large plain, or rather desert, near -the sea-side: they have hawks and greyhounds; the former -carried in the usual manner, on the hand of the huntsman; the -latter led in a leash by a horseman, generally the same who -carries the hawk. When the antelope is seen, they endeavour to -get as near as possible; but the animal, the moment it observes -them, goes off at a rate that seems swifter than the wind; the -horsemen are instantly at full speed, having slipped the dogs. -If it is a single deer, they at the time fly the hawks; but if a -herd, they wait till the dogs have fixed on a particular antelope. -The hawks, skimming along near the ground, soon reach the -deer, at whose head they pounce in succession, and sometimes -with a violence that knocks it over. At all events, they confuse -the animal so much as to stop its speed in such a degree that -the dogs can come up; and in an instant men, horses, dogs, and -hawks, surround the unfortunate deer, against which their united -efforts have been combined. The part of the chase that surprised -me most was the extraordinary combination of the hawks -and the dogs, which throughout seemed to look to each other -for aid. This, I was told, was the result of long and skilful -training.</p> - -<p>The antelope is supposed to be the fleetest quadruped on earth,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_29" id="Page_29">[29]</a></span> -and the rapidity of the first burst of the chase I have described is -astonishing. The run seldom exceeds three or four miles, and -often is not half so much. A fawn is an easy victory; the doe -often runs a good chase, and the buck is seldom taken. The -Arabs are, indeed, afraid to fly their hawks at the latter, as these -fine birds, in pouncing, frequently impale themselves on its -sharp horns.</p> - -<p>The hawks used in this sport are of a species that I have -never seen in any other country. This breed, which is called -Cherkh, is not large, but of great beauty and symmetry.</p> - -<p>Another mode of running down the antelope is practised here, -and still more in the interior of Persia. Persons of the highest -rank lead their own greyhounds in a long silken leash, which -passes through the collar, and is ready to slip the moment the -huntsman chooses. The well-trained dog goes alongside the -horse, and keeps clear of him when at full speed, and in all kinds -of country. When a herd of antelopes is seen, a consultation is -held, and the most experienced determine the point towards -which they are to be driven. The field (as an English sportsman -would term it) then disperse, and while some drive the -herd in the desired direction, those with the dogs take their post -on the same line, at the distance of about a mile from each -other; one of the worst dogs is then slipped at the herd, and -from the moment he singles out an antelope the whole body are -in motion. The object of the horsemen who have greyhounds is -to intercept its course, and to slip fresh dogs, in succession, at -the fatigued animal. In rare instances the second dog kills. It -is generally the third or fourth; and even these, when the deer -is strong, and the ground favourable, often fail. This sport, -which is very exhilarating, was the delight of the late King of -Persia, Aga Mahomed Khan, whose taste is inherited by the -present Sovereign.</p> - -<p>The novelty of these amusements interested me, and I was -pleased, on accompanying a party to a village, about twenty -miles from Abusheher, to see a species of hawking, peculiar, I -believe, to the sandy plains of Persia, on which the Hubara,<a name="FNanchor_17_17" id="FNanchor_17_17"></a><a href="#Footnote_17_17" class="fnanchor">[17]</a> a -noble species of bustard is found on almost bare plains, where it -has no shelter but a small shrub called geetuck. When we went -in quest of them we had a party of about twenty, all well mounted. -Two kinds of hawks are necessary for this sport; the first, the -cherkh (the same which is flown at the antelope), attacks them -on the ground, but will not follow them on the wing; for this -reason, the Bhyree, a hawk well known in India, is flown the -moment the hubara rises.</p> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_30" id="Page_30">[30]</a></span></p> -<p>As we rode along in an extended line, the men who carried -the cherkhs every now and then unhooded and held them up, -that they might look over the plain. The first hubara we -found afforded us a proof the astonishing quickness of sight of -one of the hawks; he fluttered to be loose, and the man who -held him gave a whoop, as he threw him off his hand, and set -off at full speed. We all did the same. At first we only saw -our hawk skimming over the plain, but soon perceived, at a distance -of more than a mile the beautiful speckled hubara, with -his head erect, and wings outspread, running forward to meet his -adversary. The cherkh made several unsuccessful pounces, -which were either evaded or repelled by the beak or wings of the -hubara, which at last found an opportunity of rising, when a -bhyree was instantly flown, and the whole party were again at -full gallop. We had a flight of more than a mile, when the -hubara alighted, and was killed by another cherkh, who -attacked him on the ground. This bird weighed ten pounds. -We killed several others, but were not always successful, having -seen our hawks twice completely beaten during the two days we -followed this fine sport.</p> - -<p>The inhabitants of the country over which we hunted are all -Arabs. They live, like their brethren in other parts, almost -entirely on camels' milk and dates. Their care appears limited -to the preservation of the animal and the propagation of the tree, -which yield what they account the best of this world's luxuries; -and these not only furnish this lively race of men with food, but -with almost all the metaphors in which their language abounds.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_31" id="Page_31">[31]</a></span> -Of this we had an amusing instance: amongst others who accompanied -the Elchee on this sporting expedition was a young -officer, who measured six feet seven inches: he, like others, had -lain down to take an hour's repose, between our morning and -evening hunt. An old Arab who was desired to awake him, -smiling, said to his servant, "Entreat your date-tree to rise." -We had a hearty laugh at our friend, who was not at first quite -reconciled to this comparison of his commanding stature to -the pride of the desert.</p> - -<p>If we were amused by the field-diversions of the Persians and -Arabs, they were equally so with our mode of hunting. The -Elchee had brought a few couples of English fox-hounds, intending -them as a present to the heir-apparent, Abbas Meerzā. -With this small pack we had several excellent runs. One morning -we killed a fox, after a very hard chase; and while the rest -of the party were exulting in their success, cutting off poor -reynard's brush, praising the hounds, adding some two feet to a -wall their horses had cleared, laughing at those who had got -tumbles, and recounting many a hair-breadth escape, I was entertained -by listening to an Arab peasant, who, with animated -gestures, was narrating to a group of his countrymen all he had -seen of this noble hunt. "There went the fox," said he, pointing -with a crooked stick to a clump of date-trees; "there he -went at a great rate; I hallooed, and hallooed, but nobody heard -me, and I thought he must get away; but when he was quite -out of sight, up came a large spotted dog, and then another and -another; they all had their noses on the ground, and gave -tongue, whow, whow, whow, so loud that I was frightened:—away -went these devils, who soon found the poor animal; after -them galloped the Faringees<a name="FNanchor_18_18" id="FNanchor_18_18"></a><a href="#Footnote_18_18" class="fnanchor">[18]</a>, shouting and trying to make a -noise louder than the dogs: no wonder they killed the fox among -them; but it is certainly fine sport. Our Shaikh has no dogs -like these." This last remark was assented to by all present, -and the possession of a breed of dogs, which their Shaikh had -not, added not a little, in the eyes of those peasants, to the character -of the mission.</p> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_32" id="Page_32">[32]</a></span></p> -<p>We were now busy preparing to leave Abusheher. Before -we took our departure, the Shaikh gave the Elchee and his suite -an entertainment. Among other subjects of conversation at this -feast, the name of the Derveish Abdūlla, who had some years -before visited that port, and sailed for India, was mentioned. I -smiled as they related stories of his sanctity and learning, and -still more as I found different parties, a Turk, a Persian, and an -Arab, contending for the honour their country derived from his -belonging to it. "You have only to hear him speak, and repeat -poetry," said Hajee Ismael, "to be certain he is a Persian." -"It is his recital of passages of the Koran that convinces me -he is an Arab," said the Shaikh. "You may say what you like," -said Abdūlla Aga, "but no man but a native of Turkey ever -spoke Turkish like Derveish Abdūlla."</p> - -<p>At this part of the conversation I put in my word, and said, -"Really, gentlemen, you are all mistaken; the far-famed Derveish -you mention is a Frenchman, his real name is Tollemache, -and I know him well." It was not a mere smile of incredulity -with which they listened. The remark I had made, while it received -not the least credit, excited unpleasant feelings, and a -friend near me whispered that it was better to abstain from the -subject.</p> - -<p>The following is a short history of this remarkable individual, -who has attained such a perfection in the languages and manners -of the natives of Asia as to deceive the most learned.</p> - -<p>Mons. Tollemache, the son of a Dragoman at Constantinople, -was many years ago recommended to Mr. Warren Hastings, who -patronised him; but a quarrel, in which he was involved, at -Calcutta, led to his leaving that city and going to the north-western -part of India, from whence he went into the countries of -Cabool, Khorassan, and Persia, and was lost trace of by his -European friends for twelve years. His latter name in Persia -was the Derveish Abdūlla, under which he became renowned for -his piety and learning. He had officiated as first reader of -prayers<a name="FNanchor_19_19" id="FNanchor_19_19"></a><a href="#Footnote_19_19" class="fnanchor">[19]</a> before the late King, who honoured him with his -favour. He came to Abusheher, from whence he went to Surat, -where, after his overtures of service to the English government -had been refused, he proceeded to the Isle of France, and is -mentioned in Lord Wellesley's notes as the person employed -there with Tippoo Sultan's Ambassadors. On proceeding afterwards -to the Red Sea he was made prisoner by Admiral Blanket, -and sent to Bombay, where I became acquainted with him at the -house of a friend with whom he resided.</p> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_33" id="Page_33">[33]</a></span></p> -<p>The memory of Tollemache was stored with rare Persian -poems and songs: his conversation was, from his various knowledge, -very entertaining. Of his power to assume any Asiatic -character, the following anecdote will suffice. He had been -dilating on his success in deceiving natives of the countries -through which he passed, and observed me to be rather incredulous. -I had not remarked his leaving the room some minutes -before I did, but, when driving out of the gate, I was so annoyed -by the importunities of a Mahomedan mendicant, who was almost -naked, that I abused him, and threatened to use my whip, -if he did not desist, when the fellow burst into a fit of laughter, -and asked me if I so soon forgot my acquaintances? I could -hardly credit my eyes and ears on recognising Tollemache; and -the recollection of this occurrence prevented me saying more to -my friends at the Shaikh's party, whom I left in the belief that -the holy Abdūlla was a saint upon earth.</p> - -<p>The first march from Abusheher we had to pass over a desert -plain of considerable extent, on which I amused myself by watching -narrowly the various changes, as we were near or remote from -it, of that singular vapour, called by the French Mirage, and by -the Arabs and Persians Sirab.</p> - -<p>The influence of this vapour in changing the figure of objects -is very extraordinary; it sometimes gives to those seen through -it the most fantastical shapes; and, as a general effect, I think -it always appears to elevate and make objects seem much taller -than they really are. A man, for instance, seen through it at -the distance of a mile and a half upon the level plain appears to -be almost as tall as a date tree.</p> - -<p>Its resemblance to water is complete, and justifies all the metaphors -of poets, and their tales of thirsty and deluded travellers.</p> - -<p>The most singular quality of this vapour is its power of reflection. -When a near observer is a little elevated, as on horseback, -he will see trees and other objects reflected as from the surface -of a lake. The vapour, when seen at a distance of six or seven -miles, appears to lie upon the earth like an opaque mass; and it<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_34" id="Page_34">[34]</a></span> -certainly does not rise many feet above the ground, for I observed, -that while the lower part of the town of Abusheher was hid from -the view, some of the more elevated buildings, and the tops of a -few date trees, were distinctly visible.</p> - -<p>Among the presents for his majesty of Persia were two light -field-pieces, to which were attached a select detachment of horse-artillery. -Great care was taken to equip this party in the best -style; and as they had a difficult march to perform, they were -sent in advance, under the tall officer who has been already mentioned. -Our third stage to Dalkhee was so rough and stony, -that we were alarmed lest we should hear bad accounts of their -progress; but our fears were all dissipated by the reports of the -villagers.</p> - -<p>"Their fathers," they said "had never seen such guns, nor -such a young man as their officer." "Why," said an old Moullah, -"I have often seen our guns; they move only a few yards in an -hour, though dragged by a hundred oxen and a hundred men, -and at every step the air resounds with 'Yā Allah! yā Allah!' -(O God! O God!) my countrymen being obliged to invoke -Heaven to help them in their heavy work; but your young -officer (who is himself a wonder in size) jumps upon his horse -and cries 'tap, tap,' and away trot the guns like feathers. We -all came to look at him and his guns, and stared till we were -tired; and every one expressed his admiration. As for me, I -have commenced a poem upon the party." The Elchee, who -had been laughing, looked grave at this threat of a kesseda or -ode; for he is already overwhelmed with such compositions: -every man in Persia who can make two lines rhyme in praise of -the Mission being anxious to change, so soon as possible, the product -of his imagination into solid piastres.</p> - -<p>All our baggage and camp equipage was carried upon mules; -and no country can boast of finer animals of this description than -Persia. They carry heavy burdens, and travel great distances, -at a rate of better than four miles an hour. They go in strings; -and I was amused to see them, when at the end of the march -and unloaded, tied in circles, going after each other, at their -usual pace, till they were cool.</p> - -<p>The Khater-bashee, or master of the mules, is a person of the -greatest importance. This class of men are generally known by<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_35" id="Page_35">[35]</a></span> -the strength of their frame, and, above all, of their lungs, which -are continually exercised in consigning man and beast to every -species of torment and evil, both in this world and the next. On -the first mission to Persia we had a mule-driver called Hajee -Hāshem, who, from his strength and temper, was the terror of -caravans. This man, on our second day's march, anxious to -unload his mules, refused to pay any attention to the injunctions -of Peter, the Elchee's steward, and carelessly cast a box containing -glass upon some loose stones, at the hazard of breaking its -contents. Peter, who had been educated on board a man-of-war, -and was a very stout fellow, irritated beyond bearing at this -treatment of his pantry ware, seized Hajee by the waist, and -before he had time to make an effort, cast him over the animal -he had so rudely unloaded; and while the astonished mule-driver -lay sprawling, and not yet knowing whether his bones were -broken, Peter, calling his interpreter, a Persian servant, who -had learned a little English at Bombay—"Tell that fellow," he -said, in a voice which showed his rage was only half expended, -"it is lucky for him that his bones are not so brittle as my glass, -of which he will take better care another time."</p> - -<p>Having witnessed this scene, I anticipated a complaint to the -Elchee; but what was my surprise to learn, that Hajee Hāshem -had petitioned to be exclusively attached, with his mules, to -Peter's department! He was so; they continued always the -best of friends; and no disappointment could be greater than that -of the old Hajee, when he came to furnish cattle for the second -mission, at finding his ally Peter was not of the party.</p> - -<p>The ground of Hajee Hāshem's attachment to his friend may -be deemed extraordinary; but had the master muleteer been a -historian, he might have pleaded high authority in his own country, -for valuing another for superiority in the rough qualities in -which he himself excelled.</p> - -<p>The emperor of Constantinople, Mahmood the Fifth, the great -rival of Nadir Shāh, desiring to humble the vanity of that conqueror, -and knowing he valued himself more on his superior -bodily power and stentorian voice that on any other qualities -selected, as an Envoy to Persia, a porter, of extraordinary personal -strength and most powerful lungs.</p> - -<p>The Envoy had merely charge of a letter, which he was told<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_36" id="Page_36">[36]</a></span> -to deliver in person to the king, to require an answer, and -return. The fame of this remarkable diplomatist preceded him; -and Nadir was advised not to receive him, as his deputation was -deemed an insult. But curiosity overcame all other considerations, -and he was introduced one day that there was a very full -court.</p> - -<p>When the Turk approached the throne, Nadir, assuming his -fiercest look, and exerting his voice to the utmost, said, "What -do you desire of me?" Almost all started, and the hall vibrated -to the sound; but the Envoy, with an undaunted air, and in a -voice of thunder which made Nadir's appear like the treble of a -child, exclaimed, "Take that letter, and give me an answer, that -I may return to my master."</p> - -<p>The court were in amazement; all eyes were turned on Nadir, -whose frowning countenance gradually relaxed into a smile, and, -turning to his courtiers, he said, "After all, the fellow certainly -has merit." He was outdone, but he could not help, like Hajee -Hāshem, respecting in another the qualities he valued in -himself.</p> - -<p>Nadir is stated to have retorted the intended insult, by saying -to the Envoy, when he gave him leave to depart, "Tell -Mahmood I am glad to find he has one man in his dominions, -and has had the good sense to send him here, that we may be -satisfied of the fact."</p> - - -<div class="footnotes"><h3>FOOTNOTES:</h3> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_17_17" id="Footnote_17_17"></a><a href="#FNanchor_17_17"><span class="label">[17]</span></a> The Hubara usually weighs from seven to eleven pounds. On its head -is a tuft of black and white feathers; the back of the head and neck are -spotted black; the side of the head and throat are white, as well as the -under part of the body; the breast is slate-coloured; the feathers of the -wing are greenish brown, speckled with black; the bill of a very dark grey; -and on each side of the neck is a large and handsome tuft of feathers, black -and white alternately.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_18_18" id="Footnote_18_18"></a><a href="#FNanchor_18_18"><span class="label">[18]</span></a> Faringee, which is a corruption of Frank is the name given to an European -over all Asia.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_19_19" id="Footnote_19_19"></a><a href="#FNanchor_19_19"><span class="label">[19]</span></a> Paish Namaz.</p></div></div> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_37" id="Page_37">[37]</a></span></p> - - -<h2>CHAPTER VI.</h2> - -<blockquote> - -<p>Elchee's Lectures—Mehmandar's Journal—Arab Nurse—Blue-beard—Persian -Ceremony—King's Picture.</p></blockquote> - - -<p>The Elchee, from the moment we landed in Persia, has been -lecturing us on the importance of the conduct of every individual, -as connected with a just impression of the national -character. "These Persians," said he to us one day, "have no -knowledge beyond their country; they understand no language -but their own and Arabic; and though all the better classes -read, the books to which they have access afford them little if any -information, except of Asia. Europe, in fact, is only known by -name, and by general and confused accounts of the fame of its -nations, and their comparative greatness. They are, however," -he added, "a very keen and observing people, and full of -curiosity. In the absence of books, they will peruse us, and -from what they hear and see, form their opinion of our country. -Let us take care, therefore, that nothing is found in the page but -what is for the honour of England; and believe me that, with such -a people, more depends upon personal impressions than treaties."</p> - -<p>With these sentiments, every word and act was shaped by him, -and, so far as he could command and influence them, by others, -to raise the English character. It was not enough that we were -to give an example of all kinds of good qualities, but we were -to be active and capable of fatigue, to show the Persians we were -soldiers. The Envoy or Elchee, as they called him, happened to -have a robust form, and a passion for shooting and hunting. It -was, therefore, nothing more than an amusement to him to ride -fifty or sixty miles of a morning, that he might surpass his Mehmandar -or entertainer in his own line, but it was far otherwise to -many of his suite. I did not like it; and a near relation of his, who -was rather weak, and, like me, of sedentary habits, used to inveigh -bitterly against these "political rides," as he scoffingly<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_38" id="Page_38">[38]</a></span> -termed them. There was, however, some sense in the Elchee's -proceedings, as I discovered, when an intimacy with our old -Mehmandar, Mahomed Sheriff Khan, a Burgashattee,<a name="FNanchor_20_20" id="FNanchor_20_20"></a><a href="#Footnote_20_20" class="fnanchor">[20]</a> led to -his showing me a journal he had written for the information of -the court by whom he was deputed, in order to enable them to -judge, by the aid of his observations, what kind of a person and -nation they had to deal with. I shall transcribe the passage, -which was literally as follows:—</p> - -<p>"The Elchee and the English gentlemen with him, rise at -dawn of day; they mount their horses and ride for two or three -hours, when they come home and breakfast. From that time till -four o'clock, when they dine, the Elchee is either looking -at horses, conversing, reading, or writing; he never lies down, -and, if he has nothing else to do, he walks backwards and forwards -before his tent-door, or within it. He sits but a short -time at dinner, mounts his horse again in the evening, and when -returned from his ride, takes tea, after which he converses, -or plays at cards till ten o'clock, when he retires to rest; and -next day pursues nearly the same course.</p> - -<p>"What I chiefly remark is, that neither he nor any of the -gentlemen sleep during the day, nor do they ever, when the -weather is warm, recline upon carpets as we do. They are certainly -very restless persons; but when it is considered that these -habits cause their employing so much more time every day in -business, and in acquiring knowledge, than his Majesty's subjects, -it is evident that at the end of a year they must have some -advantage. I can understand, from what I see, better than I -could before, how this extraordinary people conquered India. -My office is very fatiguing, for the Elchee, though a good-natured -man, has no love of quiet, and it is my duty to be -delighted with all he does, and to attend him on all occasions."</p> - -<p>This journal was written upon observations made before we -left Abusheher. The poor old Mehmandar was compelled, soon -after we marched, to slack in his constant attendance; for, as -the Elchee's duty and inclination coincided, he was seldom -satisfied with a stage of twenty or thirty miles, but usually went -out in the evening of the same day to hunt, which, no doubt, -made the desired impression, and led the Persians in his suite to -think, if the English, in very sport, so harassed their friends, -what would become of their enemies?</p> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_39" id="Page_39">[39]</a></span></p> -<p>My friend, Mahomed Sheriff Khan, was, as appears from his -journal, a keen observer. He had the reputation of being a good -soldier; but his distinguishing feature was pride in his condition -as the chief of a tribe, and as representing, in his person, a portion -of the authority of the King of Kings! This pride, however, -which often flamed forth in real or assumed rage, was -much regulated in its action by a regard for his own interests. -He was always civil to the Elchee, and those with him, but to -all upon whom his office gave him claims his demeanour was -haughty and overbearing, till soothed by concession or bribes. -I met the Mehmandar one morning, with a man leading a beautiful -Arab colt, to which he pointed, saying, "That old scoundrel, -Shaikh Nasser (Governor of Abusheher), had very nearly -deprived me of that animal." "What!" said I, "could he -venture to take him from you?" "No," said he; "the horse -was his; but he had concealed him so carefully that I was near -going away without getting him. I heard of him before I left -Shiraz, and have been on the search ever since I came to Abusheher. -I have just found him, hidden in an inner room, -covered with dirt: and then to hear how the old fool whined -about this colt of his favourite Daghee,<a name="FNanchor_21_21" id="FNanchor_21_21"></a><a href="#Footnote_21_21" class="fnanchor">[21]</a> as he called him. He -meant him, he said, to mount his son, a puny wretch, who was -standing by, entreating me to listen to his father's prayer, and -not to take away their only favourite; to save which, they offered -several useless animals and some money. But I laughed out -loud," concluded Mahomed Sheriff Khan, stroking his grizzly -beard, "and said, they knew little of an old wolf like me, if they -thought I was to be moved by their bleating, or tricked by their -cunning. 'Go,' said I to the old Shaikh, 'and build a boat for -that hopeful heir of yours; it will befit him better than a horse -like this, which is only suited for a son of mine to ride upon.'"</p> - -<p>I soon afterwards saw old Shaikh Nasser moving slowly along, -muttering his usual phrase, "There's no harm done:<a name="FNanchor_22_22" id="FNanchor_22_22"></a><a href="#Footnote_22_22" class="fnanchor">[22]</a> Persian -scoundrels, Arab fools, all will go to hell together! God is -just!—Well, well, there's no harm done." I spoke to him—he -took no notice, but went to his usual seat to superintend some -carpenters, who were building a vessel which had been on the -stocks about seventy years; there his smothered passion found -vent in the most virulent abuse of all his tribe who approached -him. When I spoke to him some time afterwards, he seemed in -better humour. "This ship," said he, pointing to the ribs of the -rude vessel, "will be finished some day or other, and she will -hold us all: there is no harm done."</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_40" id="Page_40">[40]</a></span></p> - -<p>Mahomed Sheriff Khan used to laugh at his own habits, which -he deemed less personal than belonging to his condition. One -day, when riding through the streets, he observed me looking -significantly at his Tūrkūman horse stretching his long neck to -seize some greens, which a man was carrying in a basket on his -head—"He has learnt it,"<a name="FNanchor_23_23" id="FNanchor_23_23"></a><a href="#Footnote_23_23" class="fnanchor">[23]</a> said my friend, with a smile.</p> - -<p>When I looked on the desert arid plains which lie between -Abusheher and the mountains, and saw the ignorant, half-naked, -swarthy men and women broiling under a burning sun, with -hardly any food but dates, my bosom swelled with pity for their -condition, and I felt the dignity of the human species degraded -by their contented looks. "Surely," said I to Khojah Arratoon, -an Armenian (known in the mission by the name of Blue-beard),<a name="FNanchor_24_24" id="FNanchor_24_24"></a><a href="#Footnote_24_24" class="fnanchor">[24]</a> -"these people cannot be so foolish as to be happy in this miserable -and uninstructed state. They appear a lively, intelligent -race—can they be insensible to their comparatively wretched -condition? Do they not hear of other countries? have they no -envy, no desire for improvement?" The good old Armenian -smiled, and said, "No; they are a very happy race of people, -and so far from envying the condition of others, they pity them. -But," added he, seeing my surprise, "I will give you an anecdote -which will explain the ground of this feeling.</p> - -<p>"Some time since, an Arab woman, an inhabitant of Abusheher, -went to England<a name="FNanchor_25_25" id="FNanchor_25_25"></a><a href="#Footnote_25_25" class="fnanchor">[25]</a> with the children of a Mr. Beauman. -She remained in your country four years. When she returned, -all gathered round her to gratify their curiosity about England. -'What did you find there? is it a fine country? are the people -rich? are they happy?' She answered, 'The country was like a -garden; the people were rich, had fine clothes, fine houses, fine -horses, fine carriages, and were said to be very wise and happy.' -Her audience were filled with envy of the English, and a gloom -spread over them, which showed discontent at their own condition. -They were departing with this sentiment, when the woman -happened to say, 'England certainly wants one thing.' 'What -is that?' said the Arabs eagerly. 'There is not a single date -tree in the whole country!' 'Are you sure?' was the general -exclamation. 'Positive,' said the old nurse; 'I looked for -nothing else all the time I was there, but I looked in vain.' This -information produced an instantaneous change of feeling among -the Arabs: it was pity, not envy, that now filled their breasts; -and they went away, wondering how men could live in a country -where there were no date trees!"</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_41" id="Page_41">[41]</a></span></p> - -<p>This anecdote was told me as I was jogging on the road, -alongside my friend Blue-beard, on our first march from -Abusheher. I rode the remainder of the way (ten good miles) -without speaking a word, but pondering on the seeming contradiction -between the wisdom of Providence and the wisdom of -man. I even went so far as to doubt the soundness of many -admirable speeches and some able pamphlets I had read, regarding -the rapid diffusion of knowledge. I changed to a calculating -mood, and began to think it was not quite honest, even -admitting it was wise, to take away what men possessed, of content -and happiness, until you could give them an equal or greater -amount of the same articles.</p> - -<p>Before leaving Abusheher we had received many proofs of -the favour of the Prince Regent of Shiraz. Soon after our -arrival at that place, a favourite officer of his guards brought a -present of twelve mule loads of fruit. When this young man -came to pay his respects to the Elchee, Khojah Arratoon desired<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_42" id="Page_42">[42]</a></span> -to withdraw. When asked the reason: "Why," said he, "the -person who is deputed by the Prince is a Georgian, the son of -my next door neighbour in Teflis. When Aga Mahomed -Khan plundered that city, in 1797, he was made a prisoner, with -twenty or thirty thousand young persons of both sexes; and -having since been compelled to become a Mahomedan, and -now enjoying high rank, he may be embarrassed at seeing me." -The Envoy said, "It does not signify; you are my Treasurer, -and must be present at the visit of ceremony: depend upon it -he will not notice you." It was as predicted; the bearer of the -present, a very handsome young man, superbly dressed, and of -finished manners, appeared to have no knowledge of Arratoon, -though his eye rested on him once or twice. When the visit -was over, the good Armenian could not contain himself: "The -vile Mahomedan wretch!" he exclaimed, "he has lost sight -and feeling, as well as religion and virtue. Have I given him -sweetmeats so often, to be stared at as a stranger? I should -like to know who was his father, that he should look down upon -me. It will be a mournful tale," he concluded, "that I shall -have to write to his mother, who is in great distress, and who, -poor deluded creature! lives in hopes that there is still some -good in this dog of a son of hers." There was a mixture of -wounded pride, of disappointment, and humanity, in Blue-beard's -sentiments, that made them at once amusing, and -affecting.</p> - -<p>He came, however, early next morning to the Envoy with -a very different countenance, and evidently deeply affected. -"What injustice have I not done," said he, "to that excellent -young man! He sent a secret messenger to me last night; and -when we met, ran to embrace me, and after telling me the -short tale of his captivity, sufferings, and subsequent advancement, -inquired in the most earnest manner after his mother. -He has not only given a hundred tomans to relieve her immediate -wants, but has settled that I am to be the Agent for future -remittances. He informed me that he recognised the friend of -his youth, and never had more difficulty than in the effort to -appear a stranger; but he explained his reasons for being so -cautious: he is not only a Mahomedan, but has married into a -respectable family, and is a great favourite with the Prince,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_43" id="Page_43">[43]</a></span> -and must, therefore, avoid any conduct that could bring the least -shade of suspicion on the sincerity of his faith or allegiance. I -shall make his mother very happy," continued Blue-beard, who -was evidently quite flattered by the personal attention of the -young Georgian, and the confidence reposed in him; "for I -will, when I send her the tomans, tell her my conviction, that -her son, whatever he may profess, is a Christian in his heart. -Indeed he must be so; for if he had been a true Mahomedan he -would have acted like one, and have disowned, not supported, -his mother, whom he must consider an infidel."</p> - -<p>The Prince Regent of Fars, or Persia Proper, sent, soon -after our arrival at Abusheher, a young nobleman of his own -tribe, Hassan Khan Kajir, to attend the Elchee as Mehmandar. -My intimacy, from old acquaintance, with Jaffier Khan, Governor -of Abusheher, led to his showing me the letter he had -received from his brother, the Prince's vizier, regarding the reception -of this personage. It is so good a specimen of the -minute attention the Persians give to forms that I translated it. -Its contents were as follows:—</p> - -<p>"<span class="smcap">My dear Brother</span>,</p> - -<p>"<span class="smcap">Hassan</span> Khan Kajir, who is appointed Mehmandar to -General Malcolm, is a nobleman of the first rank and family. -He will keep you informed of his progress. When he arrives at -Dalkhee<a name="FNanchor_26_26" id="FNanchor_26_26"></a><a href="#Footnote_26_26" class="fnanchor">[26]</a> he will send on this letter, and write you on the subject -of his waiting upon the General, the day he comes to camp. -You will proceed to meet him, with all the garrison of -Abusheher, as far as the date trees on the border of the desert. -You will accompany him to General Malcolm's tent, and, when -he leaves it, you will proceed with him to his own tent, which -must be pitched as the General desires, on the right or left of -his encampment. If Hassan Khan Kajir arrives in the morning, -you will stay and breakfast with him; if in the evening, you -will dine with him. Your future attention will be regulated -by your politeness and good sense, and you will always consider -him as a noble guest, who should be entertained in a manner -suitable to his rank and the distinguished situation to which he -is appointed, of Mehmandar to General Malcolm."</p> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_44" id="Page_44">[44]</a></span></p> -<p>The Mehmandar wrote a letter with this, in which he explained -to the Governor, as modestly as the subject would admit, his own -expectations. The Governor was anxious to know how the -Envoy would receive him; and when told that two officers -would meet him at a short distance from the camp, and that the -escort would be drawn up before the tent at which he alighted -to salute him, his mind was at rest, as he was sure such attention -would be gratifying to this sixteenth cousin of Majesty.</p> - -<p>Hassan Khan made his appearance next day, and proved to be -a fine young man, about twenty-six years of age, of excellent -manners and handsome in person, with grey eyes, and a very -pleasing expression of countenance. At this visit he was profuse -in professions of the regard in which the King and Prince -held the Elchee, both of whom, he said, were anxious for the -advance of the Mission.</p> - -<p>It is not only in attention to persons, deputed by kings and -princes in Persia, that respect for royalty is shown; it extends -to the reception of letters, dresses, and presents, and every inanimate -thing with which their name is associated. The object is -to impart to all ranks a reverence and awe for the sovereign and -those to whom he delegates power. In short, no means are neglected -that can keep alive, or impress more deeply, the duty of -implicit obedience.</p> - -<p>Some time before we landed at Abusheher, the Envoys of -Scind had been at that port on their return from Teheran. They -carried, among other presents to their Prince, a picture of his -Majesty, Fatteh Ali Shāh. This painting was carefully packed -in a deal box; but the inclosed image of royalty could not be -allowed to pass through his dominions without receiving marks -of respect hardly short of those that would have been shown to -the sovereign himself.</p> - -<p>The Governor and inhabitants of Abusheher went a stage to -meet it: they all made their obeisance at a respectful distance. -On its entering the gates of the city a royal salute was fired; -and when the Envoys who had charge of it embarked, the same -ceremonies were repeated, and not a little offence was taken at -the British Resident because he declined taking a part in this -mummery.</p> - - -<div class="footnotes"><h3>FOOTNOTES:</h3> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_20_20" id="Footnote_20_20"></a><a href="#FNanchor_20_20"><span class="label">[20]</span></a> Burgashattee is the name of a small Turkish tribe, of which this old -nobleman was chief.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_21_21" id="Footnote_21_21"></a><a href="#FNanchor_21_21"><span class="label">[21]</span></a> A celebrated stud-horse of Shaikh Nasser.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_22_22" id="Footnote_22_22"></a><a href="#FNanchor_22_22"><span class="label">[22]</span></a> <i>Aibee na dared</i>, which is literally translated in the text, was a phrase -used by this old chief on every occasion.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_23_23" id="Footnote_23_23"></a><a href="#FNanchor_23_23"><span class="label">[23]</span></a> <i>Amookhta ast.</i></p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_24_24" id="Footnote_24_24"></a><a href="#FNanchor_24_24"><span class="label">[24]</span></a> The nick-name of Blue-beard was given by some of the young men of -our party to our Treasurer, Khojah Arratoon, from that colour being one -day predominant in the dye he had used to ornament his beard. This excellent -man is now no more.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_25_25" id="Footnote_25_25"></a><a href="#FNanchor_25_25"><span class="label">[25]</span></a> This story has been told by Sir John Malcolm, in his history, in illustration -of some of his facts or opinions; but he has taken this, and many -other equally good things, from me, without ever acknowledging them; I -shall, therefore, stand on no ceremony when it suits my purpose to reclaim -my property.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_26_26" id="Footnote_26_26"></a><a href="#FNanchor_26_26"><span class="label">[26]</span></a> Fifty miles from Bushire.</p></div></div> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_45" id="Page_45">[45]</a></span></p> - -<h2>CHAPTER VII.</h2> - -<blockquote> - -<p>Mountaineers—Valley of Kazeroon—Virtue of Nitric Acid—Rizā Kooli -Khan's loss of Eyes—Extraordinary Birds—Beautiful Valley of Dusht-e-Arjun—Mahomed -Rizā Khan Byat—Irish Patriotism—Persian Squire.</p></blockquote> - - -<p>Nothing can be more striking than the change from the -Gurmaseer, or hot region, as they term the arid track on the -shores of the Persian Gulf, to the fine climate and rich soil of -the elevated plains of the interior of that country. After travelling -fifty-five miles, we reached the mountains. From the -village of Dalkhee, famous for its date plantations and streams -impregnated with naphtha, and which lies at the foot of the first -range, we proceeded by narrow paths, which wound along the -face of the rugged and steep mountain we were ascending. -When near its summit, we were met by the Chiefs of the tribes -and villages in the vicinity. These, with their principal adherents, -on horseback, were drawn up on the crest of the mountain, -while their other followers sprang from rock to rock, firing their -matchlocks in honour of the strangers. Their ragged clothing, -their robust forms, their rapid evolutions (which, though apparently -in disorder, were all by signal), amid precipices, where it -seemed dangerous to walk, the reports of their fire-arms, reverberating -from the surrounding hills, gave an interest to these -scenes which a fine writer might dwell on for pages, but I shall -content myself with the fact, that we passed in security the two -great ranges of mountains that intervene between the sea-shore -and the valley of Kazeroon; on entering which, our eyes were -not only cheered by rich fields, but also with wild myrtle, -blackberry bushes, and willows. The latter, shadowing small -but clear rivulets, gave me and others a feeling of home, which -he who has not travelled in a far distant land can never understand. -Those of our party who had not been in Persia before -were quite delighted at the change of scene, and began to give<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_46" id="Page_46">[46]</a></span> -us credit for the roses and nightingales which we promised them -on its still happier plains. What they had seen of the inhabitants -of the mountains we had passed inclined them to believe the -marvellous tales we told of the tribe of Mama Sunee, who boast -of having preserved their name and habits unaltered from the -time of Alexander the Great.</p> - -<p>We had good reason, when on the first Mission, to remember -this tribe, who, in conformity to one of their most ancient -usages, had plundered a part of our baggage that was unfortunately -left without a guard in our rear. The loss would have -been greater but for a curious incident. Among the camels -left behind was one loaded with bottles containing nitric acid, -which had been furnished in considerable quantities to us at -Bombay. The able physician<a name="FNanchor_27_27" id="FNanchor_27_27"></a><a href="#Footnote_27_27" class="fnanchor">[27]</a> who discovered its virtues was -solicitous that its efficacy should have a fair trial in Persia; and -it certainly proved a sovereign remedy in an extreme case, but -one in which he had not anticipated its effects. The robbers, -after plundering several camel loads, came to that with the -nitric acid. They cast it from the back of the animal upon the -ground. The bottles broke, and the smoke and smell of their -contents so alarmed the ignorant and superstitious Mama Sunees, -that they fled in dismay, fully satisfied that a pent-up genie of -the Faringees had been let loose, and would take ample vengeance -on them for their misdeeds. The truth of this was proved by the -testimonies of the camel drivers, the subsequent confession of -some of the thieves, and the circumstance of several of the loads -which were near the nitric acid being untouched.</p> - -<p>The city of Kazeroon is situated near the ancient Shapoor, -with whose ruins antiquarians are delighted, and whose deserted -fields were equally prized by our sportsmen, from their abounding -with game.</p> - -<p>I was myself much amused with a hunt of black partridges<a name="FNanchor_28_28" id="FNanchor_28_28"></a><a href="#Footnote_28_28" class="fnanchor">[28]</a> -at this place, on which we were accompanied by thirty or forty -horsemen. They scattered themselves over a grassy plain, and -the moment a partridge was flushed, the man nearest it gave -a shout, while such as were in the direction in which it flew rode -over the bird, which was hardly allowed to touch the ground before -it was raised again, and hunted as before. Its flights became -shorter; and after three or four, when quite exhausted, it was -picked up by one of the horsemen, several of whom had little -dogs called "scenters," to aid them in finding the partridge -when it took shelter in the long grass or bushes. We caught -about twenty brace of birds the first morning that I partook in -this sport.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_47" id="Page_47">[47]</a></span></p> - -<p>Rizā Kooli Khan, the Governor of Kazeroon, came to pay the -Elchee a visit. This old nobleman had a silk band over his eye-sockets, -having had his eyes put out during the late contest -between the Zend and Kajir families for the throne of Persia. -He began, soon after he was seated, to relate his misfortunes, -and the tears actually came to my eyes at the thoughts of the old -man's sufferings; when judge of my surprise to find it was to -entertain, not to distress us, he was giving the narration, and -that, in spite of the revolting subject, I was compelled to smile -at a tale, which in any country except Persia would have been -deemed a subject for a tragedy: but as poisons may by use become -aliment, so misfortunes, however dreadful, when they are -of daily occurrence, appear like common events of life. But it -was the manner and feelings of the narrator that, in this instance, -gave the comic effect to the tragedy of which he was the hero.</p> - -<p>"I had been too active a partisan," said Rizā Kooli Khan, -"of the Kajir family, to expect much mercy when I fell into the -hands of the rascally tribe of Zend. I looked for death, and was -rather surprised at the lenity which only condemned me to lose -my eyes. A stout fellow of a ferash<a name="FNanchor_29_29" id="FNanchor_29_29"></a><a href="#Footnote_29_29" class="fnanchor">[29]</a> came as executioner of -the sentence; he had in his hand a large blunt knife, which he -meant to make his instrument: I offered him twenty tomans if -he would use a penknife I showed him. He refused in the most -brutal manner, called me a merciless villain, asserting that I had -slain his brother, and that he had solicited the present office to -gratify his revenge, adding, his only regret was not being -allowed to put me to death.</p> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_48" id="Page_48">[48]</a></span></p> -<p>"Seeing," continued Rizā Kooli, "that I had no tenderness -to look for from this fellow, I pretended submission, and laid -myself on my back; he seemed quite pleased, tucked up his -sleeves, brandished his knife, and very composedly put one knee -on my chest, and was proceeding to his butchering work, as if I -had been a stupid innocent lamb, that was quite content to let -him do what he chose. Observing him, from this impression, off -his guard, I raised one of my feet, and planting it on the pit of -his stomach, sent him heels over head in a way that would have -made you laugh (imitating with his foot the action he described, -and laughing heartily himself at the recollection of it). I -sprung up; so did my enemy; we had a short tussle—but he -was the stronger; and having knocked me down, succeeded in -taking out my eyes.</p> - -<p>"The pain at the moment," said the old Khan, "was lessened -by the warmth occasioned by the struggle. The wounds soon -healed; and when the Kajirs obtained the undisputed sovereignty -of Persia, I was rewarded for my suffering in their cause. All -my sons have been promoted, and I am Governor of this town -and province. Here I am in affluence, and enjoying a repose to -which men who can see are in this country perfect strangers. If -there is a deficiency of revenue, or any real or alleged cause for -which another Governor would be removed, beaten, or put to -death, the king says, 'Never mind, it is poor blind Rizā Kooli; -let him alone:' so you observe, Elchee, that I have no reason to -complain, being in fact better defended from misfortune by the -loss of my two eyes, than I could be by the possession of twenty -of the clearest in Persia:" and he laughed again at this second -joke.</p> - -<p>Meerzā Aga Meer, the Persian secretary, when commenting -upon Rizā Kooli Khan's story, said that his grounds of consolation -were substantial; for that a stronger contrast could not -exist between his condition, as he had described it, and that of -others who are employed as Revenue officers under the present -administration of Fars. "I cannot better," said he, "illustrate -this fact than by the witty and bold answer given a short time -since by one of the nobles to the Prince Regent at Shiraz. The -Prince asked of his advisers what punishment was great enough -for a very heinous offender who was brought before him; 'Make -him a Collector of Revenue,' said an old favourite nobleman;<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_49" id="Page_49">[49]</a></span> -'there can be no crime for which such an appointment will not -soon bring a very sufficient punishment.'"</p> - -<p>We had an amusing account of an adventure which had -occurred at Kazeroon to two Gentlemen of the Mission, who had -been sent some months before to Shiraz. One of these, a relation -of the Elchee, I have before mentioned as particularly averse to -what he deemed unnecessary fatigue of body. But he and his -companion had their curiosity so much raised by the accounts -they received of two strange creatures, that were said to be in a -house at the distance of fifteen miles, that in spite of the severity -of the weather (for it was winter), and the difficulties of the road, -they determined to go and see them.</p> - -<p>In answer to their inquiries, one man said, "These creatures -are very like birds, for they have feathers and two legs; but then -their head is bare and has a fleshy look, and one of them has a -long black beard on its breast." But the chief point on which -they dwelt was the singularity of their voice, which was altogether -unlike that of any other bird they had ever heard of or -seen. An old man, who had gone from Kazeroon to see them, -declared it was a guttural sound very like Arabic, but confessed -that though he had listened with great attention, he had not been -able to make out one word they uttered.</p> - -<p>When the party arrived, very fatigued, at the end of their -journey, the inhabitants of the small village where the objects of -curiosity were kept came out to meet them. Being conducted to -the house where the birds were shut up, the door was opened, and -out marched—a turkey-cock and hen! the former, rejoicing in -his release from confinement, immediately commenced his Arabic. -The Persians who came from Kazeroon were lost in astonishment, -while our two friends looked at each other with that -expression of countenance which indicates a doubt, between an -inclination to laugh or to be angry; the former feeling however -prevailed. Their merriment surprised the Persians, who, on -being informed of its cause, seemed disappointed to hear that the -birds which appeared so strange to them were very common both -in India and England.</p> - -<p>From the account given by the possessor of the turkeys, it -appeared that they had been saved from the wreck of a vessel in<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_50" id="Page_50">[50]</a></span> -the Gulf, and had gradually come to the part of the interior -where they then were.</p> - -<p>From Kazeroon to Dusht-e-Arjun is but a short distance, but -the ascent is great; and pleased as we had been with Kazeroon, -we found all nature with a different aspect in this small but delightful -valley, which is encircled by mountains, down whose -rugged sides a hundred rills contribute their waters to form the -lake in its centre. The beauty of these streams, some of which -fall in a succession of cascades from hills covered with vines; -the lake itself, in whose clear bosom is reflected the image of the -mountains by which it is overhung; the rich fields on its margin; -and the roses, hyacinths, and almost every species of flower that -grow in wild luxuriance on its borders, made us gaze with admiration -on this charming scene; while the Persians, who enjoyed -our looks and expressions of delight, kept exclaiming, "Iran -hemeen ast!—Iran hemeen ast!" This is Persia!—This is -Persia!</p> - -<p>I was rejoiced on this day's march to meet my old friend -Mahomed Rizā Khan Byat, who had come from Shiraz to compliment -the Elchee. He galloped up to me like a boy, calling -out "You are welcome." I could hardly believe my eyes on -finding him look younger and brisker than he did when I left -him ten years before, at the age of sixty-eight, eating, every day, -a quantity of opium that was enough, according to the calculation -of our doctor, to poison thirty persons unaccustomed to that -drug. My regard for the old gentleman had led to my taking -no small pains to break him of a habit that I was persuaded -would destroy him; and the doctor, from the same impression, -was my zealous auxiliary. For him my friend inquired the -moment he had welcomed me; when told he was in India, he -replied, laughing, "I am sorry he is not here; I would show -him that Christian doctors, though they can, according to our -belief, through the aid and influence of their Messiah, work -miracles, as he did, by curing the blind and the lame, are not all -true prophets. He told me I should die if I did not diminish -my allowance of opium; I have increased it four-fold since he -in his wisdom predicted my demise, and here I am, near fourscore, -as young and as active as any of them:" so saying, he<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_51" id="Page_51">[51]</a></span> -pushed his horse to speed, and turning his body quite round, -according to the habit of the ancient Parthians with the bow, -and the modern Persians with the matchlock, fired a ball at -a mark in the opposite direction to that in which he was galloping. -Riding up to me, he first stroked his beard, which was too -well dyed to discover a single white hair, and then taking out a -box I had given him ten years before, opened it, and literally -cast down his throat a handful of opium pills, repeating, "I -wish my friend the doctor had been here!"</p> - -<p>I rode along with Mahomed Rizā the remainder of the march; -and, according to his account, the condition of Persia was -greatly improved. Indeed the internal peace it had enjoyed -since the full establishment of the power of the late king Aga -Mahomed Khan, must of itself have produced that effect; for -Nature has been so bountiful to this country in climate, soil, -and in every animal and vegetable production, that man, spoilt -as he is by her indulgence, cannot, without great and continued -efforts, destroy the blessings by which he is surrounded. I was -more pleased at my friend dwelling with a calm and contented -mind on this great change, from a knowledge of his history. -His father, Sālah Khan, was one of the chief Omrāhs, or Nobles, -at the Court of Nadir Shāh when that conqueror was murdered. -On that event Kings started up in every province. Sālah Khan -among others entered the lists. He seized upon Shiraz, the -fortifications of which he extended and improved; but his enjoyment -of a royal name was short; he was made prisoner, -and put to death by Kerreem Khan. His son, whose character -is marked by the absence of ambition, has passed through life -with respect as the Chief of a tribe, but without enjoying, or -perhaps desiring, any station of consequence. He is of a happy -and contented frame of mind, and speaks of the latter part of his -father's life as a brilliant but troubled dream of power, to which -he was very fortunate not to succeed.</p> - -<p>The Prince and great men of Shiraz, on our approaching -that city, so loaded the Elchee with presents of ice-creams, -sweetmeats, preserves, and delicious fruits, that all in camp, -down to the keepers of the dogs, were busied in devouring these -luxuries. A lion's share was always allotted to a party of the -17th dragoons, which forms part of the escort. I heard these<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_52" id="Page_52">[52]</a></span> -fine fellows, who were all (with the exception of one man) from -Ireland, discussing, as they were eating their ices, their preserves, -their grapes, and nectarines, the merits of Persia. "It -is a jewel of a country," says one. "It would be," said a -second, "if there were more Christians in it." "I don't -so much mind the Christians," observed his companion, "if I -could see a bog now and then, instead of these eternal rocks and -valleys, as they call them." "Fine though it be," concluded -corporal Corragan, "I would not give a potatoe-garden in -little Ireland for a dozen of it, and all that it contains to boot." -This patriotic sentiment, which appeared to meet with general -concurrence, closed the discussion.</p> - -<p>The morning we left Dusht-e-Arjun, I rode a short way with -an old reis or squire, who is a proprietor of a considerable part -of the valley. "How happy you are," I said, "in possessing a -tract so fertile, so beautiful, and with such rich verdure." The -old man shook his head: "That verdure you so much admire," -said he, "is our ruin; our valley is the best grazing land in -Persia, and the consequence is, princes and nobles send their -mules here to fatten; and while our fields of grain and our -gardens are trampled by these animals, we have to endure the -insolence, and often the oppression, of their servants; and these -fellows in our country (I don't know what they are in yours) -are always ten times worse than their masters."</p> - - -<div class="footnotes"><h3>FOOTNOTES:</h3> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_27_27" id="Footnote_27_27"></a><a href="#FNanchor_27_27"><span class="label">[27]</span></a> The late Dr. Helenus Scott.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_28_28" id="Footnote_28_28"></a><a href="#FNanchor_28_28"><span class="label">[28]</span></a> The Derraj, or black partridge, takes its name from its breast, which is -of that colour; the rest of its body is very much variegated. Its throat and -legs are red, as also the under parts of its tail; its head is black, arched -with spotted brown and white feathers, and one spot of white below its eye. -This beautiful bird is found in the higher latitudes of India and in Persia; -it is very common on the banks of the Tigris.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_29_29" id="Footnote_29_29"></a><a href="#FNanchor_29_29"><span class="label">[29]</span></a> Ferash is a menial servant employed in a house to keep it clean and -take care of the furniture. He also pitches tents, spreads carpets, &c. &c.</p></div></div> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_53" id="Page_53">[53]</a></span></p> - -<h2>CHAPTER VIII.</h2> - -<blockquote> - -<p>Principal Characters of the Mission—Mahomed Hoosein Khan—Jaffier Ali -Khan—Meerzā Aga Meer—Mahomed Hoosein—Hajee Hoosein—Candidates -for the Elchee's favour.</p></blockquote> - - -<p>Before I proceed further on my journey, I must introduce my -reader to some of the principal characters, Indian and Persian, -with whom I associated. These were my companions every -where; and I owed much of the information and amusement I -derived on my visit to Persia to their remarks and communications. -No persons could differ more from each other than my -friends. This resulted, in part, from their dispositions, but more -from the opposite scenes in which they had passed their lives. -But a short account of them will best exhibit their respective -characters.</p> - -<p>The first, Mahomed Hoosein Khan, is a person who is -attached to the mission, more as a companion to the Envoy, than -in any specific employment. He is my particular friend, and is -one of almost every party in which I mix; rides with me, talks -nonsense with me, besides cutting jokes, writing epigrams, and -telling stories; therefore I must give a short sketch of him, -otherwise he will never be understood. Khan Sāhib, or "my -Lord," is the name by which my friend is usually known, though -he has a right, from his inheritance, to the higher title of Nabob. -He is about five feet three inches high; his face, though plain, -has an expression which marks quickness and intelligence, and -the lively turn of his mind has its effect heightened from an -impression of gravity, conveyed by a pair of large spectacles, -which, being short-sighted, he always wears. His frame is not -robust, and his whole appearance indicates the over-care that -has been bestowed upon his childhood, and the enervating -pleasures in which his youth, according to the usage of Mahomedans -of quality, has been passed. He has, however, notwithstanding<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_54" id="Page_54">[54]</a></span> -early habits of luxury, if not of dissipation, received -an excellent education. He is a tolerable Arabic scholar, and -has few superiors in Persian; he writes that language with the -greatest elegance, and is no mean composer, either in prose or -verse. Add to these qualifications a cheerful disposition, an -excellent memory, with a ready wit, and you have my little -friend.</p> - -<p>The father of Khan Sāhib was a Persian, who went, in early -life, to improve his fortunes in India. He succeeded in recommending -himself to Mr. Duncan at Benares, and, after that -gentleman became Governor of Bombay, he appointed his -Persian friend Resident at Abusheher, and in 1798 sent him on -a mission to the court of Persia. This preferment naturally -excited ambitious views: and, among other means by which he -sought to ennoble his family, was the marriage of his eldest son, -my friend, to the daughter of an ex-Prince of the Zend family, -who being in exile, and poor, was glad that his falling star (to -use an Asiatic figure) should come in conjunction with one that -he thought was in the ascendant. But the father died soon -after he had grafted his son on this branch of a decayed tree of -royalty, leaving the latter what he often laughingly calls "The -sad inheritance of poverty and rank combined with a most -dignified wife," who, if he is to be believed, not unfrequently -reminds him of her high birth, and is rather wont to dwell -upon her condescension in allying herself to him. "I could," -he added, the other day, "have given her some reasons for that -act of prudence, but it would only have made her worse, and -God knows what her violence might have prompted, so I kept -quiet."</p> - -<p>Here Khan Sāhib betrayed his foible, which is certainly -extreme prudence. He is in the habit of wearing yellow boots -with high heels, loose red cloth trowsers, which are half displayed -by a tunic tucked up, like that of the most valiant among -the horsemen of Persia. His high lamb's-wool cap has, when he -is equipped for a march, the true military pinch; two small -pistols and a dagger are stuck in his girdle, and to a waistbelt is -fastened a powder-flask and a bag of bullets; a large sabre hangs -by an embroidered cross-belt, while a shorter sword, for close -quarters, is fastened to his saddle; to the front of which is<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_55" id="Page_55">[55]</a></span> -attached a pair of holsters that contain two large horse-pistols. -In spite of all these indications of desperate courage, aided by -an upright and imposing seat on horseback, and sufficient boldness -in galloping to and fro on a smooth plain, there is some -want of that forward valour which depends more upon itself than -the arsenal of great and small arms it carries for its defence. -My friend is quite sensible of this deficiency, and is at times very -happy in his allusions to the fact, and can very wittily philosophise -upon the causes.—Want of stamina—coddled infancy—indulged -youth—fear of his father—and terror of his royal wife, -form the principal items in the list. "But," he is wont to add, -"if I have, from a combination of causes, lost that strength of -nerve which constitutes brute courage, I trust I have a manly -spirit, the result of reflection, which, on proper occasions, you -will always see me exert."</p> - -<p>This is, no doubt, the case; but I never happened to be -present on any of these "proper occasions," and I was one of -a party, where we were almost diverted from thinking of danger -by his ludicrous behaviour at its approach.</p> - -<p>The Elchee having particular business when we were lying in -Abusheher Roads, had determined to land; though the sea was -rough, and the waves ran very high on the bar at the mouth of -the harbour. The Khan, who had recently been attached to the -Mission, insisted on going, though advised not: he was very -courageous till we came on the bar, where the waves that chased -each other seemed at every moment as if they would overwhelm -our little bark. To each of these, as they rose and pursued us -with their foaming crests, Khan Sāhib addressed a rapid invocation—"Allah, -Allah, Allah!" (God, God, God!) and the -moment we were safe from its fury, he, in a still more hurried -way, repeated his gratitude; "Shooker, shooker, shooker!" -(thanks, thanks, thanks!) These invocations and thanksgivings -were repeated with great volubility and wonderful earnestness; -Allah, Allah, Allah! and Shooker, shooker, shooker! continued -to sound in our ears for a quarter of an hour; when -"Al hamd ulillah!" (praise be to God!) pronounced in a slow -and composed tone, proclaimed we were in smooth water. I -rallied my friend<a name="FNanchor_30_30" id="FNanchor_30_30"></a><a href="#Footnote_30_30" class="fnanchor">[30]</a> on the little composure he showed on this -occasion; but he defended himself stoutly, saying, he always -prayed twice as much at sea as on shore. This I believe; but -he is on shore even an indifferent observer of the rites of his -religion, and is suspected by some of the orthodox of our party -of being a Sooffee, or philosophical Deist, which seems to me a -general name, that includes all, from the saint who raves about -divine love, to the sinner who scoffs at the rites of the worship -of his country.</p> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_56" id="Page_56">[56]</a></span></p> -<p>The next personage is Jaffier Ali Khan, brother to the Nabob -of Masulipatam. This Indian Mahomedan is a man high in -rank though of limited income, and has been from boyhood an -intimate friend of the Elchee. Having married into a Persian -family, he now resides at Shiraz, where he has been for some -time employed as an agent. Jaffier Ali is a tolerable English -scholar, but writes that language with more facility than correctness. -He was, in his earlier years, extravagant from love of -dissipation, and is now imprudent from irresolution. He has -acquired a good deal of knowledge, but wants firmness of judgment. -The consequence is, that both in conducting his own -affairs and those of others, he becomes the dupe of rogues, with -whom such a character is sure always to be surrounded. Nevertheless, -there is such a redeeming simplicity of manner, and such -kindness of heart, about poor Jaffier Ali, that it is impossible -for any one to keep up that indignation which his folly often -produces. "My friend is not the honest man I thought him," -said he one day to me, speaking of a fellow who had duped him; -"I have been more foolish than I could have believed, but I will -take care another time: yet," he added, with a sympathy for his -own weakness, "it is very difficult to deal with these Persians, -they are so pleasing in their speech and manner, and most of all -when they have cheating intentions."</p> - -<p>Mahomed Hoosein, who is also an Indian, has served the -Elchee as Moonshee, or instructor in the Persian language, since -the latter was an ensign of eighteen, and has gradually risen with -his master, whose confidence he enjoys and merits. He is a -modest man, speaks little, but always to the purpose. It is not<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_57" id="Page_57">[57]</a></span> -the habit of the Elchee to bring any man in his station prominently -forward, and this practice appears exactly to suit the character -of the Moonshee, which it has perhaps formed. He -never goes to the Elchee but when he is sent for, and never stays -when not wanted; is pleased with any mark of flattering attention, -but never appears, like others, to make that his object. -With this happy temper, and an honesty that has stood the test -of great temptation for more than twenty years, he passes a -comparatively still life, amidst all the bustle with which he is -surrounded. When not busy writing letters he is employed -reading some Persian book, chiefly works on the theological disputes -between the Soonees and the Sheas. He holds the tenets -of the former; and, with all due reverence to Ali, the nephew -and son-in-law of the Prophet, he thinks, with the Turks and -Arabs, that Abubeker, Omar, and Osman, were true men and -good Caliphs, and not as the Persians, in their enthusiasm for -Ali, term them, base caitiffs and vile usurpers. The Moonshee -said to me one day, when I was joking him on his studies, "I -do not want to dispute with these red-headed<a name="FNanchor_31_31" id="FNanchor_31_31"></a><a href="#Footnote_31_31" class="fnanchor">[31]</a> doctors, but I -must fortify myself in my own belief;" and he added, in a low -tone of voice, "How can the faith of men be right, whose practice -is so wrong? Did you ever see or hear such a set of -swaggerers and story-tellers? I rejoice my master has seen so -much of them; he will think better than he has ever yet done of -us poor Indians."</p> - -<p>The next person with whom I must make my readers acquainted -is Meerzā Aga Meer; he is a Syed, that is one of the -tribe of Mahomed, and enjoys great respect among his countrymen, -from being a lineal descendant of a holy man, the Ameer -Hemza, whose tomb is at Shiraz, and is esteemed one of the -most sacred shrines of that city. Aga Meer is a fine penman, -and an uncommonly good writer of letters, which is his occupation. -He is of mild and unassuming manners, slow in word and -action; his even temper and good sense appear always directed -to the object of keeping himself clear of all taint from the scene -of cupidity and intrigue in which all around him are engaged. -The very opposite of the generality of his countrymen, he endeavours -to shun all employment not in his own line; and, though -a great favourite with the Elchee, he takes nothing on himself, -and will, indeed, do nothing without a specific order. Aga -Meer is sometimes ashamed of his countrymen; but he is usually -satisfied with showing his feeling by a shrug of his shoulders, -and sometimes by averting his head, and is evidently disinclined -to inform against or condemn them, when he can avoid such a -course without a breach of duty; but whenever duty is in question, -this good and honest man is firm and temperate in its -fulfilment.</p> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_58" id="Page_58">[58]</a></span></p> -<p>I have before mentioned Khojah Arratoon, the Armenian -treasurer. This sensible and honest man has the characteristic -reserve of his tribe, who, from living in a country where they -are subject to oppression, become, from early habit, most guarded -in their words and actions. This good man is fond of a joke, -but he whispers it to you as if it was a state secret. We call -him, as I have stated, Blue-beard, from the circumstance of this -dye being one day predominant in the colour he had given to -this ornament of his face, of the size and form of which he is, -and not without reason, proud. He told me his vanity was once -not a little flattered by the abuse of a Persian, who after exhausting -all other topics, concluded by saying, "And then what -business has a dog of an unbeliever like you with such a beard?"</p> - -<p>The most prominent among the lower servants is old Hajee -Hoosein, the head of the personal attendants; he assumes a -superiority over his fellow-servants on the ground of his having -visited foreign countries; and he boasts that from every one of -them he has brought away some advantage or attainment. He -has added to a taste for poetry and the marvellous (which he -tells me was born with him in Persia) a love of antiquities, acquired -at Bagdad—a knowledge of Arab horses, picked up at -Bussorah—skill in traffic in small wares, learnt at Muscat—some -theology, and the holy and useful name of Hajee or Pilgrim, -gained by a visit to the Prophet's Tomb at Mecca; and a -small but profitable acquaintance with the machinery of clocks -and watches, obtained by a short apprenticeship with an eminent -horologist at Calcutta. This travelled and very accomplished -person, though he condescends to hand the Elchee his Kellian,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_59" id="Page_59">[59]</a></span> -and to distribute coffee to visitors, is in great request throughout -our camp, and with none more than me; and I am rather flattered -by the partiality he shows for my society, owing, I suspect, -to my having early declared my admiration of his various talents, -and in particular of his skill as a watchmaker, on his having -succeeded in making an old watch of mine, that had stopped for -a twelvemonth, go for nearly one whole day.</p> - -<p>The above personages are our principal characters; minor -gentlemen will speak for themselves when they come upon the -stage.</p> - -<p>Besides these attached to our camp, we have numbers who, -from frequent visits and dealings, are almost considered as belonging -to it. But our mode of proceeding is now understood, -and the Elchee is not compelled, as he was on his first mission, -to guard against attempts of individuals to establish an exclusive -influence. Two of these, made by very opposite characters, -deserve to be recorded.</p> - -<p>The first was a specious young man of some ability, whose -name was Hajee Abd-ool-Hameed, who came from Shiraz with -a complimentary letter from the minister, Cherāgh Ali Khan, -to whom he had promised to discover the real object of the -mission, while to others he had professed his intention of making -himself the sole medium of communication and intercourse between -the English Representative and the Persian government.</p> - -<p>He pursued his design with some address; but the Elchee -seeing him linger at Abusheher, and very assiduous in his court, -suspected his motives, and one day plainly asked him whether -he had any further business, or entertained any expectations of -employment? Though at first disconcerted by these direct -queries, he confessed he had no business except that of recommending -himself; and he then represented how impossible it -would be to carry on any concerns in Persia without a qualified -native as an agent, stating at the same time that he himself was -exactly the man required.</p> - -<p>The Elchee thanked him for his kind intentions, but informed -him that such assistance was not at that moment necessary. If -ever it was, he assured Abd-ool-Hameed his disinterestedness in -coming so far to afford it, should not be forgotten. The manner -more than the substance of this observation was death to the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_60" id="Page_60">[60]</a></span> -cherished hopes of the Persian expectant. Two days afterwards -he left the camp and returned to Shiraz, where he became actively -hostile to the mission, considering himself, by a selfish but -common perversion of human reasoning, not merely slighted, but -robbed of all the benefits he had anticipated.</p> - -<p>The rejection of this gentleman's services no doubt prevented -many speculators for favour making the efforts they might have -intended. But we learned from Shiraz, that Aga Ibrahim, a -native of Cazveen, who had been long settled as a merchant at -Shiraz, and was a candidate for the contract for making up tents -and other articles wanted for our outfit, ridiculed Abd-ool-Hameed -and his plan, and boasted that he would show them all the way -to win a Faringee Elchee.</p> - -<p>The intelligence of his intentions, which was written by the -Moonshee, Mahomed Hoosein, who had been sent in advance -with letters to the Prince Regent of Fars and the King, made -us anxious to see this formidable personage. When we were a -stage from Dusht-e-Arjun, he made his appearance. He seemed -a merry open-hearted fellow, and, according to his own communications, -fond of the good things of this world. He was not -over-scrupulous, he said, as to a glass or two of good liquor, and -he boasted of having been a boon companion to the King, when -his Majesty was Prince Regent at Shiraz, before dread of his -uncle, Aga Mahomed and the Moollāhs, made him publicly -renounce his wicked ways, and march round the city to break -all the vessels which contained wine, in order that young and old -should be aware of the sincere repentance of the Heir Apparent -of the throne of Persia.</p> - -<p>"I had no uncle with a crown on his head," said Aga Ibrahim. -"I care nothing for priests, and have never yet felt the -slightest disposition to alter my ways, except when the liquor -was bad; but I take care," said he, with a significant nod to the -Elchee, "to have it always of the best."</p> - -<p>This conversation occurred during the day. In the evening, -Aga Ibrahim desired a private interview with the Elchee; and -after being some time with him, he returned to our party evidently -disappointed. We soon discovered the reason: he had -caused two loaded camels to be taken to the Elchee's tent by a -back road, and, after a short preamble, had begged he would<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_61" id="Page_61">[61]</a></span> -accept of both, with their burdens, as a "paish-kesh, or first-offering." -One of the camels was loaded with Russian brandy, -and the panniers which the other carried were (according to his -report) two young and beautiful female Georgian slaves! The -liquor and the ladies had both been politely declined, with many -thanks for his intended kindness.</p> - -<p>Our friend, Aga Ibrahim, was a very different character from -Abd-ool-Hameed. A few glasses of wine which we gave him -restored his spirits. "My plan was a good one," he said, "and -would, I thought, have won the heart of any Faringee. This -Elchee must have some deep designs on Persia, or he could never -have resisted such temptations."</p> - -<p>Aga Ibrahim had been a great trafficker in the slaves, male -and female, which the army of Aga Mahomed brought from -Georgia in his irruption into that country in 1797. He had -retained one in his own family, of whom he appeared dotingly -fond. The more wine he took, the more he spoke of his favourite -Mariamne. "I have often," said he, "offered to marry -her, if she would only become a Mahomedan, but all in vain; -and really, when she is on her knees praying before her cross, -or chanting hymns to the Virgin Mary, she looks so beautiful, -and sings so sweetly, that I have twenty times been tempted to -turn Christian myself. Besides, I can hardly think of Paradise -as delightful without Mariamne!"</p> - -<p>Our jolly good-natured friend went back to Shiraz next day -with his camels, neither out of humour with us nor himself. He -had failed, it was true; but he remained satisfied that it was -some mysterious cause, against which human wisdom could not -provide, that had defeated his excellent scheme for gaining the -heart of a Faringee Elchee.</p> - -<p>Aga Ibrahim was consoled for his first disappointment by -having a good share of the employment he desired; and, in all -his dealings, he was found as honest as other Persian merchants.</p> - - -<div class="footnotes"><h3>FOOTNOTES:</h3> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_30_30" id="Footnote_30_30"></a><a href="#FNanchor_30_30"><span class="label">[30]</span></a> It is with great regret I state that the witty and accomplished Khan -Sāhib, like many others mentioned in these pages, has paid the debt of nature. -He continued in India as in Persia to accompany his friend the Elchee -till 1821, when he fell a victim to the cholera.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_31_31" id="Footnote_31_31"></a><a href="#FNanchor_31_31"><span class="label">[31]</span></a> Kezzelbash, or red-headed, is the appellation by which the Persians are -known over Asia. It is said to have arisen from their wearing red cloth -tops to their black lambs'-wool caps.</p></div></div> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_62" id="Page_62">[62]</a></span></p> - -<h2>CHAPTER IX.</h2> - -<blockquote> - -<p>Importance of Forms—Description of those used at Visits in Persia—Difficulties -on this subject—Happy termination of a Battle of Ceremonies between -the first Mission and the petty Court of Shiraz—Persian Society—Fables -and Apologues.</p></blockquote> - - -<p>When we arrived at the garden of Shāh Cherāgh, within a few -miles of the city of Shiraz, a halt was ordered for the purpose of -settling the forms of our reception. These were easily arranged, -as the Elchee, though his military rank, from the period of his -first mission to the present, had advanced from that of Captain -to General, claimed only the same respect and attention he had -before insisted upon as the representative of a great and powerful -government.</p> - -<p>Ceremonies and forms have, and merit, consideration in all -countries, but particularly among Asiatic nations. With these -the intercourse of private as well as public life is much regulated -by their observance. From the spirit and decision of a public -Envoy upon such points, the Persians very generally form their -opinion of the character of the country he represents. This fact -I had read in books, and all I saw convinced me of its truth. -Fortunately the Elchee had resided at some of the principal -courts of India, whose usages are very similar. He was, therefore, -deeply versed in that important science denominated -"Kāida-e-nishest-oo-berkhāst" (or the art of sitting and rising), -in which is included a knowledge of the forms and manners of -good society, and particularly those of Asiatic kings and their -courts.</p> - -<p>He was quite aware, on his first arrival in Persia, of the consequence -of every step he took on such delicate points; he was, -therefore, anxious to fight all his battles regarding ceremonies -before he came near the footstool of royalty. We were consequently -plagued, from the moment we landed at Abusheher, till -we reached Shiraz, with daily, almost hourly drilling, that we<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_63" id="Page_63">[63]</a></span> -might be perfect in our demeanour at all places, and under all -circumstances. We were carefully instructed where to ride in a -procession, where to stand or sit within-doors, when to rise from -our seats, how far to advance to meet a visitor, and to what part -of the tent or house we were to follow him when he departed, if -he was of sufficient rank to make us stir a step.</p> - -<p>The regulations of our risings and standings, and movings -and reseatings, were, however, of comparatively less importance -than the time and manner of smoking our Kelliāns and taking -our coffee. It is quite astonishing how much depends upon -coffee and tobacco in Persia. Men are gratified or offended, -according to the mode in which these favourite refreshments are -offered. You welcome a visitor, or send him off, by the way in -which you call for a pipe or a cup of coffee. Then you mark, -in the most minute manner, every shade of attention and consideration, -by the mode in which he is treated. If he be above -you, you present these refreshments yourself, and do not partake -till commanded: if equal, you exchange pipes, and present him -with coffee, taking the next cup yourself: if a little below you, -and you wish to pay him attention, you leave him to smoke his -own pipe, but the servant gives him, according to your condescending -nod, the first cup of coffee: if much inferior, you -keep your distance and maintain your rank, by taking the first -cup of coffee yourself, and then directing the servant, by a wave -of the hand, to help the guest.</p> - -<p>When a visitor arrives, the coffee and pipe are called for to -welcome him; a second call for these articles announces that he -may depart; but this part of the ceremony varies according to -the relative rank or intimacy of the parties.</p> - -<p>These matters may appear light to those with whom observances -of this character are habits, not rules; but in this country -they are of primary consideration, a man's importance with himself -and with others depending on them.</p> - -<p>From the hour the first mission reached Persia, servants, -merchants, governors of towns, chiefs, and high public officers, -presuming upon our ignorance, made constant attempts to trespass -upon our dignity, and though repelled at all points, they -continued their efforts, till a battle royal at Shiraz put the question -to rest, by establishing our reputation, as to a just sense of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_64" id="Page_64">[64]</a></span> -our own pretensions, upon a basis which was never afterwards -shaken. But this memorable event merits a particular -description.</p> - -<p>The first mission arrived at Shiraz on the 13th of June, 1800. -The King of Persia was at this time in Khorassan, and the province -of Fars, of which Shiraz is the capital, was nominally ruled -by one of his sons, called Hoosein Ali Meerzā, a boy of twelve -years of age. He was under the tuition of his mother, a clever -woman, and a Minister called Cherāgh Ali Khan. With the -latter redoubtable personage there had been many fights upon -minor ceremonies, but all were merged in a consideration of -those forms which were to be observed on our visit to the young -Prince.</p> - -<p>According to Persian usage, Hoosein Ali Meerzā was seated -on a Nemmed, or thick felt, which was laid on the carpet, and -went half across the upper end of the room in which he received -the Mission. Two slips of felt, lower by two or three inches -than that of the Prince, extended down each side of the apartment. -On one of these sat the Ministers and Nobles of the -petty Court, while the other was allotted to the Elchee and -Suite; but according to a written "Destoor-ool-Amal," (or -program) to which a plan of the apartment was annexed, the -Elchee was not only to sit at the top of our slip, but his right -thigh was to rest on the Prince's Nemmed.</p> - -<p>The Elchee, on entering this apartment, saluted the Prince, -and then walked up to his appointed seat; but the master of the -ceremonies<a name="FNanchor_32_32" id="FNanchor_32_32"></a><a href="#Footnote_32_32" class="fnanchor">[32]</a> pointed to one lower, and on seeing the Elchee -took no notice of his signal, he interposed his person between -him and the place stated in the program. Here he kept his -position, fixed as a statue, and in his turn paid no attention to the -Elchee, who waved his hand for him to go on one side. This -was the crisis of the battle. The Elchee looked to the Minister; -but he stood mute, with his hands crossed before his body, looking down -on the carpet. The young Prince, who had hitherto -been as silent and dignified as the others, now requested the -Elchee to be seated; which the latter, making a low bow to him, -and looking with no slight indignation at the Minister, complied -with. Coffee and pipes were handed round; but as soon as that -ceremony was over, and before the second course of refreshments -were called for, the Elchee requested the Prince to give -him leave to depart; and, without waiting a reply, arose and -retired.</p> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_65" id="Page_65">[65]</a></span></p> -<p>The Minister seeing matters were wrong, and being repulsed -in an advance he made to an explanation, sent Mahomed -Shereef Khan, the Mehmandar, to speak to the Elchee; but he -was told to return, and tell Cherāgh Ali Khan "That the -British Representative would not wait at Shiraz to receive a -second insult. Say to him," he added, "that regard for the -King, who is absent from his dominions, prevented my showing -disrespect to his son, who is a mere child; I therefore seated -myself for a moment; but I have no such consideration for his -Minister, who has shown himself alike ignorant of what is due -to the honour of his sovereign and his country, by breaking his -agreement with a foreign Envoy."</p> - -<p>The Elchee mounted his horse, after delivering this message, -which he did in a loud and indignant tone, and rode away apparently -in a great rage. It was amusing to see the confusion to -which his strong sense of the indignity put upon him threw -those, who a moment before were pluming themselves on the -clever manner by which they had compelled him to seat himself -fully two feet lower on the carpet than he had bargained for. -Meerzās and Omrāhs came galloping one after another, praying -different persons of his suite to try and pacify him. The latter -shook their heads; but those who solicited them appeared to indulge -hopes, till they heard the orders given for the immediate -movement of the English camp. All was then dismay; -message after message was brought deprecating the Elchee's -wrath. He was accused of giving too much importance to -a trifle; it was a mistake of my lord of the ceremonies; would -his disgrace—his punishment—the bastinado—putting his eyes -out—cutting off his head, satisfy or gratify the offended Elchee?—To -all such evasions and propositions the Envoy returned but -one answer:—"Let Cherāgh Ali Khan write an acknowledgment -that he has broken his agreement, and that he entreats my -forgiveness: if such a paper is brought me, I remain; if not, I -march from Shiraz."</p> - -<p>Every effort was tried in vain to alter this resolution, and the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_66" id="Page_66">[66]</a></span> -Minister, seeing no escape, at last gave way, and sent the -required apology, adding, if ever it reached his Majesty's ear that -the Elchee was offended, no punishment would be deemed too -severe for those who had ruffled his Excellency's temper or hurt -his feelings.</p> - -<p>The reply was, the explanation was ample and satisfactory, -and that the Elchee would not for worlds be the cause of injury -to the meanest person in Persia, much less to his dear friend -Cherāgh Ali Khan; and a sentence was added to this letter by -particular desire of Meerzā Aga Meer, who penned it, stating, -"That everything disagreeable was erased from the tablet of the -Elchee's memory, on which nothing was now written but the -golden letters of amity and concord."</p> - -<p>The day after this affair was settled, the Minister paid the -Elchee a long visit, and insisted upon his going again to see the -Prince. We went—but what a difference in our reception: all -parties were attentive; the master of the ceremonies bent almost -to the ground; and though the Elchee only desired to take his -appointed seat, that would neither satisfy the Prince nor the -Minister, who insisted that, instead of his placing one thigh on -the Nemmed, which was before unapproachable, he should sit -altogether on its edge! This was "miherbānee, ser-afrāzee," -(favour, exaltation), and we were all favoured and exalted.</p> - -<p>Such is the history of this battle of ceremony, which was the -only one of any consequence there was occasion to fight in -Persia; for in wars of this kind, as in other wars, if you once -establish your fame for skill and courage, victory follows -as a matter of course.</p> - -<p>It must not be supposed from what has been stated, that the -Persians are all grave formal persons. They are the most -cheerful people in the world; and they delight in familiar conversation; -and every sort of recreation appears, like that of -children, increased by those occasional restraints to which their -customs condemn them. They contrive every means to add to -the pleasures of their social hours; and as far as society can be -agreeable, divested of its chief ornament, females, it is to be met -with in this country. Princes, chiefs, and officers of state, while -they pride themselves, and with justice, on their superior manners, -use their utmost efforts to make themselves pleasant companions.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_67" id="Page_67">[67]</a></span> -Poets, historians, astrologers, wits, and reciters of -stories and fables, who have acquired eminence, are not only admitted -into the first circles, but honoured. It is not uncommon -to see a nobleman of high rank give precedence to a man of wit -or of letters, who is expected to amuse or instruct the company; -and the latter, confident in those acquirements to which he owes -his distinction, shows, by his manner and observations, that -usage has given him a right to the place he occupies.</p> - -<p>I heard, before I mixed in it, very different accounts of -Persian society. With one class of persons it was an infliction, -to another a delight. I soon found that its enjoyment depended -upon a certain preparation; and from the moment I landed in -the country, I devoted a portion of my time to their most -popular works in verse and prose. I made translations, not only -of history and poetry, but of fables and tales, being satisfied that -this occupation, while it improved me in the knowledge of the -language, gave me a better idea of the manners and mode of -thinking of this people than I could derive from any other source. -Besides, it is a species of literature with which almost every man -in Persia is acquainted; and allusions to works of fancy and -fiction are so common in conversation, that you can never enjoy -their society if ignorant of such familiar topics.</p> - -<p>I have formerly alluded to the cause which leads all ranks in -Persia to blend fables and apologues in their discourse, but this -subject merits a more particular notice. There has been a -serious and protracted discussion among the learned in Europe -as to the original country of those tales which have delighted and -continue to delight successive generations. One or two facts -connected with this abstruse question are admitted by all.—First, -that the said tales are not the native produce of our -western clime. They are decidedly exotics, though we have improved -upon the original stock by careful culture, by grafting, -and other expedients, so as to render them more suited to the -soil into which they have been transplanted.</p> - -<p>The next admission is, that some of our best fables and tales -came with the Sun from the East, that genial clime, where -nature pours forth her stores with so liberal a hand that she -spoils by her indulgence those on whom she bestows her choicest -gifts. In that favoured land the imagination of authors grows<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_68" id="Page_68">[68]</a></span> -and flourishes, like their own evergreens, in unpruned luxuriance. -This exuberance is condemned by the fastidious critics of the -West. As for myself, though an admirer of art, I like to contemplate -Nature in all her forms; and it is amidst her varied -scenes that I have observed how much man takes his shape and -pursuits from the character of the land in which he is born. -Our admirable and philosophic poet, after asserting the command -which the uncircumscribed soul, when it chooses to exert itself, -has over both the frigid and torrid zones, beautifully and truly -adds—</p> - -<div class="poem"> -"Not but the human fabric from its birth<br /> -Imbibes a flavour of its parent earth;<br /> -As various tracts enforce a various toil,<br /> -The manners speak the idiom of the soil."<br /> -</div> - -<p>The warmth of the climate of the East, the ever-teeming -abundance of the earth, while it fosters lively imaginations and -strong passions, disposes the frame to the enjoyment of that -luxurious ease which is adverse to freedom. That noblest of all -plants which ever flourished on earth has, from the creation to -the present day, been unknown in the East. This being the -case, the fathers of families, the chiefs of tribes, and the sovereigns -of kingdoms, are, within their separate circles, alike despotic; -their children, followers, and subjects are consequently compelled -to address these dreaded superiors in apologues, parables, fables, -and tales, lest the plain truth, spoken in plain language, should -offend; and the person who made a complaint or offered advice -should receive the bastinado, or have his head struck off on the -first impulse of passion, and before his mighty master had time -to reflect on the reasonableness of such prompt punishment.</p> - -<p>To avoid such unpleasant results, every bird that flies, every -beast that walks, and even fish that swim, have received the gift -of speech, and have been made to represent kings, queens, -ministers, courtiers, soldiers, wise men, foolish men, old women, -and little children, in order, as a Persian author says, "That -the ear of authority may be safely approached by the tongue of -wisdom."</p> - -<p>There is another reason why tales and fables continue so -popular in the East; we observe how pleasing and useful they -are as a medium of conveying instruction in childhood: a great<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_69" id="Page_69">[69]</a></span> -proportion of the men and women of the countries of which we -speak are, in point of general knowledge, but children; and while -they learn, through allegories and apologues, interspersed with -maxims, to appreciate the merits of their superiors, the latter are, -in their turn, taught by the same means lessons of humanity, -generosity, and justice.</p> - -<p>"Have you no laws," said I one day to Aga Meer, "but the -Koran, and the traditions upon that volume?" "We have," -said he, gravely, "the maxims of Sādee." Were I to judge -from my own observations, I should say, that these stories and -maxims, which are known to all, from the king to the peasant, -have fully as great an effect, in restraining the arbitrary and unjust -exercise of power as the laws of the Prophet.</p> - -<p>It is through allegories and fables that we receive the earliest -accounts we have of all nations, but particularly those of the -Eastern hemisphere. We may, in these days in which exactness -is so much valued, deplore this medium as liable to mislead; -but must recollect, that if we had not their ancient records -in this form we should have them in none. One of the wisest -men in the West, Francis Bacon, has truly said, "Fiction gives -to mankind what history denies, and in some measure satisfies -the mind with shadows when it cannot enjoy the substance."</p> - -<p>Those who rank highest amongst the Eastern nations for genius -have employed their talents in works of fiction; and they have -added to the moral lessons they desired to convey so much of -grace and ornament, that their volumes have found currency in -every nation of the world. The great influx of them into -Europe may be dated from the crusades; and if that quarter of -the globe derived no other benefits from these holy wars, the -enthusiastic admirers of such narrations may consider the tales -of Boccaccio and similar works as sufficient to compensate all the -blood and treasure expended in that memorable contest!</p> - -<p>England has benefited largely from these tales of the East. -Amongst other boons from that land of imagination, we have -the groundwork on which Shakspeare has founded his inimitable -play of the Merchant of Venice.</p> - -<p>The story of the Mahomedan and the Jew has been found in -several books of Eastern Tales. In one Persian version love is -made to mix with avarice in the breast of the Israelite, who had<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_70" id="Page_70">[70]</a></span> -cast the eye of desire upon the wife of the Mahomedan, and expected, -when he came to exact his bond, the lady would make -any sacrifice to save her husband.</p> - -<p>At the close of this tale, when the parties come before the -judge, the Jew puts forth his claim to the forfeited security of a -pound of flesh. "How answerest thou?" said the judge, turning -to the Mahomedan. "It is so," replied the latter; "the -money is due by me, but I am unable to pay it." "Then," continued -the judge, "since thou hast failed in payment, thou must -give the pledge; go, bring a sharp knife." When that was -brought, the judge turned to the Jew, and said, "Arise, and -separate one pound of flesh from his body, so that there be not -a grain more or less; for if there is, the governor shall be informed, -and thou shalt be put to death." "I cannot," said the -Jew, "cut off one pound exactly; there will be a little more or -less." But the judge persisted that it should be the precise -weight. On this the Jew said he would give up his claim and -depart. This was not allowed, and the Jew being compelled to -take his bond with all its hazards, or pay a fine for a vexatious -prosecution, he preferred the latter, and returned home a disappointed -usurer.</p> - -<p>Admitting that the inhabitants of Europe received these -tales and apologues from the Saracens, the next question is, -where did they get them? Mahomed and his immediate successors, -while they proscribed all such false and wicked lies and -inventions, accuse the Persians of being the possessors and -propagators of those delusive tales, which were, according to -them, preferred by many of their followers to the Koran. But -in the course of time Caliphs became less rigid. The taste for -poetry and fiction revived, and Persian stories and Arabian tales -deluged the land.</p> - -<p>For some centuries the above countries were the supposed -sources of this branch of literature, but, since the sacred language -of the Hindus has become more generally known, the -Persians are discovered to have been not only the plunderers of -their real goods and chattels, but also of their works of imagination. -These we, in our ignorance, long believed to belong to the -nations from whom we obtained them; but now that Orientalists -abound, who are deeply read in Sanscrit, Prącrit, Marhatta,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_71" id="Page_71">[71]</a></span> -Guzerattee, Canarese, Syamese, Chinese, Talingana, Tamil, and -a hundred other languages, unknown to our ignorant ancestors, -the said Persians and Arabians have been tried and convicted, -not only of robbing the poor Hindus of their tales and fables, -but of an attempt to disguise their plagiarisms, by the alteration -of names, and by introducing, in place of the gods and goddesses -of the Hindu Pantheon, the magi, and all the spirits of -the Heaven and the Earth, which peculiarly belong to the -followers of Zoroaster.</p> - -<p>Nothing, however, can impose upon the present enlightened -age, and our antiquaries have long been and are still occupied -in detecting thefts committed twenty centuries ago. In spite of -the Persian and Arabian cloaks in which tales and fables have -been enveloped, the trace of their Hindu origin has been discovered -in the various customs and usages referred to, and it -has been decided that almost all the ancient tales are taken from -the Hitōpadźsa, and that still more famous work, the Pancha-Tantra, -or more properly the Panchōpākhyān, or Five Tales; -while many of the more modern are stolen from the Kathā-Sarit-Sāgar, -or Ocean of the Stream of Narration, a well-known -work, which was compiled about the middle of the twelfth century -by order of that equally well-known Prince Sree Hertha -of Cashmere!</p> - -<p>I have sometimes had doubts whether it was quite fair to rake -up the ashes of the long-departed Pehlevee writers; more particularly -as there does not now exist one solitary book in their -language which we could compare with the Hindu MSS., of -which we have lately become enamoured; but reverence for the -learning of those who have decided this question, and dread of -their hard words, with the very spelling of which I am always -puzzled, has kept me silent. As I am, however, rather partial -to my Persian friends, I must vindicate them from this general -charge of robbery and fraud. They certainly acquired one of their -most celebrated works of imagination from India, under circumstances -that do equal honour to the just king Noosheerwān, his -wise minister Boozoorchimihr, and the learned doctor Barzooyeh.</p> - -<p>The work to which I refer is the Kartaka-Damnaka of the -Brahmins, the Kalīla-wa-Damna of the Arabians, and the Fables -of Pilpay of Europe. This book, originally written in the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_72" id="Page_72">[72]</a></span> -Sanscrit, was first translated into Pehlevee, from that into -Arabic, and next into Persian. So many learned Oriental -critics, French and English, have given the names and dates of -the translations, that I shall not repeat them, but give a short -account of the first introduction of these famous fables into -Persia, with some facts of the life and opinions of the wise and -disinterested man through whose efforts his native country became -possessed of this treasure.</p> - -<p>Noosheerwān, deservedly styled the Just, who governed Persia -in the beginning of the seventh century, hearing of the fame of -a work which a Brahmin of Ceylon had composed, employed the -celebrated physician named Barzooyeh to obtain for him a copy -of this production. This was a delicate and hazardous enterprise, -for the work, ever since the reign of a certain Indian -King, named Dabshileem, for whom it was written, had been -guarded with great care and jealousy, lest the profane should -learn the wisdom that ought only to appertain to the wise and -holy.</p> - -<p>Barzooyeh, confident in knowledge and strong in allegiance, -undertook to fulfil the commands of his Sovereign. He proceeded -towards India, furnished with money and every thing that -could forward the objects of his journey. When he arrived at -the Indian capital, he pretended that the motive which induced -him to visit it was the improvement of his mind, by communication -with the wise men for which it was at that period renowned. -Amongst those whose society he courted, he early discovered one -Brahmin, who appeared to him the very model of wisdom. His -efforts were directed to gain his friendship, and believing he had -succeeded, he resolved to intrust him with his real design.</p> - -<p>"I have a secret to confide to you," said he, one day to his -friend: "and you know, 'a sign to the wise is enough.'" "I -know what you mean," said the penetrating Brahmin, "without -your sign; you came to rob us of our knowledge, that you might -with it enrich Persia. Your purpose is deceit; but you have -conducted yourself with such consummate address and ability -that I cannot help entertaining a regard for you. I have," continued -the Indian, "observed in you the eight qualities which -must combine to form a perfect man: forbearance, self-knowledge, -true allegiance, judgment in placing confidence, secrecy,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_73" id="Page_73">[73]</a></span> -power to obtain respect at court, self-command, and a reserve, -both as to speech in general society and intermeddling with the -affairs of others. Now you have those qualities, and though your -object in seeking my friendship is not pure but interested, nevertheless -I have such an esteem for you that I will incur all hazards -to forward your object of stealing our wisdom."</p> - -<p>The Brahmin obtained the far-sought book, and by his aid and -connivance a copy was soon completed. Noosheerwān, who had -been informed of the success of his literary envoy, was impatient -for his return; and when he arrived at the frontier, he was met -by some of the most favoured courtiers sent by the monarch to -conduct him to the capital. He was welcomed with joy, particularly -by Noosheerwān; a great court was held, at which all who -were dignified or learned in the kingdom were present. Barzooyeh -was commanded to read from the volume he had brought: -he did so; and the admiration of its contents was universal.</p> - -<p>"Open my treasury!" said the grateful Noosheerwān; "and -let the man who has conferred such a benefit on his country -enter, and take what he finds most valuable." "I desire neither -jewels nor precious metals," said Barzooyeh; "I have laboured -not for them but for the favour of my Sovereign; and that I have -succeeded is rather to be referred to his auspices, than to my -humble efforts. But I have," said he, "a request to make: the -King has directed his able minister, Boozoorchimihr, to translate -this work into Pehlevee; let him be further instructed that mention -be made of me in some part of the book, and that he particularly -specify my family, my profession, and my faith. Let -all this be written, so that my name may go down to future ages, -and the fame of my Sovereign be spread throughout the world."</p> - -<p>The King was delighted with this further proof of the elevated -mind of Barzooyeh; all present applauded his perfect wisdom, -and joined in supplicating that his request might be granted.</p> - -<p>Noosheerwān, addressing the assembly, said—"You have witnessed -the noble disinterestedness of this man, you know how -faithfully he has discharged his duty, and what difficulties and -dangers he has encountered and overcome in my service. I desired -to enrich him with jewels and money, but such rewards -have no value in his mind, his generous heart is above them; he -has only asked that his name shall have a separate mention, and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_74" id="Page_74">[74]</a></span> -that his life up to this date shall be faithfully written. Let it," -said the Monarch, turning to Boozoorchimihr, "have a place at -the very commencement of that book of wisdom which he has -procured for his country."</p> - -<p>The above is the substance of the story, as given in the Persian -translation of this work, made by Aboo'l-Fazl, and called Eiyār-e-Dānish, -or the Touchstone of Wisdom; and we have in the -same volume some particulars of the religious tenets, or rather -doubts, of the philosophic Barzooyeh, which merit a short mention.</p> - -<p>The wise doctor, who is made to speak in his own person, expresses -himself to this effect:—"The questions regarding the -attributes of the Creator, and the nature of futurity, have been -sources of never-ending doubt and discussion. Every one deems -his own opinions regarding these important subjects as the only -true ones, and his life is wasted in efforts to raise his own sect -and to disparage others; but how many of these persons are mere -self-worshippers, in whom there is not a trace of real religion, or -of the knowledge of God!</p> - -<p>"How deeply do I regret that time which I myself lost in -pursuit of these vain imaginations, searching every path, but -never finding the true way, and never even discovering a guide. -I have consulted the wise and learned of all religions as to the -origin of that faith in which they believed; but I have found -them only busied with propping up their own notions, and trying -to overset those of others.</p> - -<p>"At last, finding no medicine for the sickness of my heart, and -no balm for the wounds of my soul, I came to a conclusion, that -the foundation of all these sects was self-conceit. I had heard -nothing that a wise man could approve; and I thought that if I -gave my faith to their creed, I should be as foolish as the poor -thief who, by an unmeaning word, was deluded to his destruction.</p> - -<p>"Some thieves mounted to the top of a rich man's house; -but he, hearing their footsteps, and guessing their object, waked -his wife, to whom he whispered what had occurred. 'I shall -feign sleep,' said he to her; 'do you pretend to awake me, and -commence a conversation, in a tone loud enough to be heard by -the thieves. Demand of me with great earnestness how I amassed<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_75" id="Page_75">[75]</a></span> -my wealth; and, notwithstanding my refusal, urge me to a confession.'</p> - -<p>"The woman did as she was desired, but the husband replied, -'Do forbear such questions; perhaps if I give you true answers -somebody may hear, and I may be exposed to disagreeable consequences.'</p> - -<p>"This denial to gratify her curiosity only made the lady more -earnestly repeat her interrogatories. Apparently wearied with -her importunities, the husband said, 'If I comply with your -wishes, it will be contrary to the maxim of the wise, who have -said, 'Never tell a secret to a woman.'"</p> - -<p>"'Who,' said the irritated lady, 'do you take me for? Am -not I the cherished wife of your bosom?' 'Well, well,' said the -man, 'be patient, for God's sake; as you are my true and confidential -friend, I suppose I must tell you all; but never reveal -to any one what you shall now hear.' She made a thousand -protestations that his secret should never pass her lips. The -husband appearing quite satisfied, proceeded to state as follows:</p> - -<p>"'Learn, my dear wife, that all my wealth is plunder. I was -possessed of a mysterious charm, by which, when standing on -moonlight nights near the walls of the houses of the rich, I could, -by repeating the word Sholim, Sholim, Sholim, seven times, and -at the same time laying my hand on a moonbeam, vault on the -terrace; when there, I again exclaimed, Sholim, Sholim, Sholim, -seven times, and with the utmost ease jumped down into the -house, and again pronouncing Sholim, Sholim, Sholim, seven -times, all the riches in the house were brought to my view. I -took what I liked best, and for the last time calling out Sholim, -Sholim, Sholim, I sprung through the window with my booty; -and through the blessing of this charm, I was not only invisible, -but preserved from even the suspicion of guilt.</p> - -<p>"'This is the mode in which I have accumulated that great -wealth with which you are surrounded. But beware and reveal -not this secret; let no mortal know it, or the consequences may -be fatal to us all.'</p> - -<p>"The robbers, who had anxiously listened to this conversation, -treasured up with delight the magic words. Some time afterwards -the leader of the band, believing all in the house asleep, -and having got upon the window, called out Sholim, Sholim,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_76" id="Page_76">[76]</a></span> -Sholim, seven times, and springing forward fell headlong into -the room. The master of the dwelling, who was awake, expecting -this result, instantly seized the fellow, and began to soften<a name="FNanchor_33_33" id="FNanchor_33_33"></a><a href="#Footnote_33_33" class="fnanchor">[33]</a> -his shoulders with a cudgel, saying, 'Have I all my life been -plaguing mankind in acquiring wealth just to enable a fellow like -you to tie it up in a bundle and carry it away; but now tell me -who you are?' The thief replied, 'I am that senseless blockhead -that a breath of yours has consigned to dust. The proverb,' said -the wretched man, 'is completely verified in my fate; I have -spread my carpet for prayer on the surface of the waters.' But -the measure of my misfortune is full; I have only one request to -make, that you now put a handful of earth over me.'</p> - -<p>"In fine," adds Barzooyeh, "I came to the conclusion, that -if, without better proof than delusive words, I were to follow any -of the modes of faith which I have described, my final condition -would be no better than that of the fool in this tale, who trusted -to Sholim, Sholim, Sholim.</p> - -<p>"I said therefore to my soul, if I run once more after these -pursuits, a life would not be sufficient; my end approaches, and -if I continue in the maze of worldly concerns I shall lose that -opportunity I now possess, and be unprepared for the great -journey which awaits me.</p> - -<p>"As my desire was righteous, and my search after truth honest, -my mind was favoured with the conviction that it was better to -devote myself to those actions which all faiths approve, and which -all who are wise and good applaud.</p> - -<p>"By the blessing of God, after I was released from such a -state of distraction, I commenced my efforts; I endeavoured to -the utmost of my power to do good, and to cease from causing -pain to animals, or injury to men."</p> - -<p>The wise physician adds in this passage a list of all the virtues -after which he sought, and all the vices he shunned. This list -is long, and appears to me to include the whole catalogue of -human virtues and vices. Suffice it here to say, that his biographer -assures us that his latter end was blessed, and that he left -behind him a name as celebrated for virtue as it was for wisdom.</p> - -<div class="footnotes"><h3>FOOTNOTES:</h3> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_32_32" id="Footnote_32_32"></a><a href="#FNanchor_32_32"><span class="label">[32]</span></a> Ashkakas Bāshee.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_33_33" id="Footnote_33_33"></a><a href="#FNanchor_33_33"><span class="label">[33]</span></a> This is a literal translation.</p></div></div> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_77" id="Page_77">[77]</a></span></p> - - -<h2>CHAPTER X.</h2> - -<blockquote><p>Fable of the Two Cats—Preamble to Persian Treaty—Apologues from Sādee—-Letter -from Nizām-ool-Moolk to Mahomed Shāh—Death of Yezdijird.</p> -</blockquote> - -<p>The preceding chapter concluded with an episode upon the life -and opinions of the favoured physician of Noosheerwān. I must -in this return to my subject, the elucidation of the rise and -progress of apologues and fables.</p> - -<p>It will be admitted by all, that the Persians, in the luxuriance -of their imaginations, have embellished wonderfully the less -artificial writings of the Hindus. The lowest animal they introduce -into a fable speaks a language which would do honour -to a king. All nature contributes to adorn the metaphorical -sentence; but their perfection in that part of composition called -the Ibāret-e-Rengeen, or Florid Style, can only be shown by -example, and for that purpose I have made a literal translation -of the fable of the "Two Cats;" from which I suspect we -have borrowed ours, of the "Town and Country Mouse."</p> - -<p>"In former days there was an old woman, who lived in a hut -more confined than the minds of the ignorant, and more dark -than the tombs of misers. Her companion was a cat, from the -mirror of whose imagination the appearance of bread had never -been reflected, nor had she from friends or strangers ever heard -its name. It was enough that she now and then scented a -mouse, or observed the print of its feet on the floor; when, -blessed by favouring stars, or benignant fortune, one fell into -her claws,</p> - -<div class="poem"> -'She became like a beggar who discovers a treasure of gold;<br /> -Her cheeks glowed with rapture, and past grief was consumed by present joy.'<a name="FNanchor_34_34" id="FNanchor_34_34"></a><a href="#Footnote_34_34" class="fnanchor">[34]</a><br /> -</div> - -<p>This feast would last for a week or more; and while enjoying it -she was wont to exclaim—</p> - -<div class="poem"> -'Am I, O God! when I contemplate this, in a dream or awake?<br /> -Am I to experience such prosperity after such adversity?'<br /> -</div> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_78" id="Page_78">[78]</a></span></p> - -<p>"But as the dwelling of the old woman was in general the -mansion of famine to this cat, she was always complaining, and -forming extravagant and fanciful schemes. One day, when reduced -to extreme weakness, she with much exertion reached the -top of the hut; when there, she observed a cat stalking on the -wall of a neighbour's house, which, like a fierce tiger, advanced -with measured steps, and was so loaded with flesh that she could -hardly raise her feet. The old woman's friend was amazed to -see one of her own species so fat and sleek, and broke out into -the following exclamation:</p> - -<div class="poem"> -'Your stately strides have brought you here at last; pray tell me from whence you come?<br /> -From whence have you arrived with so lovely an appearance?<br /> -You look as if from the banquet of the Khan of Khatāi.<br /> -Where have you acquired such a comeliness? and how came you by that glorious strength?'<br /> -</div> - -<p>The other answered, 'I am the Sultan's crum-eater. Each -morning, when they spread the convivial table, I attend at the -palace, and there exhibit my address and courage. From among -the rich meats and wheat-cakes I cull a few choice morsels; -I then retire and pass my time till next day in delightful -indolence.'</p> - -<p>"The old dame's cat requested to know what rich meat was, -and what taste wheat-cakes had? 'As for me,' she added, in a -melancholy tone, 'during my life, I have neither eat nor seen -any thing but the old woman's gruel and the flesh of mice.' -The other, smiling, said, 'This accounts for the difficulty I -find in distinguishing you from a spider. Your shape and -stature is such as must make the whole generation of cats blush; -and we must ever feel ashamed while you carry so miserable an -appearance abroad.</p> - -<div class="poem"> -'You certainly have the ears and tail of a cat,<br /> -But in other respects you are a complete spider.'<br /> -</div> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_79" id="Page_79">[79]</a></span></p> - -<p>Were you to see the Sultan's palace, and to smell his delicious -viands, most undoubtedly those withered bones would be -restored; you would receive new life; you would come from -behind the curtain of invisibility into the plain of observation:</p> - -<div class="poem"> -'When the perfume of his beloved passes over the tomb of a lover,<br /> -Is it wonderful that his putrid bones should be re-animated?'<br /> -</div> - -<p>"The old woman's cat addressed the other in the most supplicating -manner: 'Oh, my sister!' she exclaimed, 'have I -not the sacred claims of a neighbour upon you; are we not -linked in the ties of kindred? what prevents your giving a -proof of friendship, by taking me with you when next you visit -the palace? Perhaps from your favour plenty may flow to me, -and from your patronage I may attain dignity and honour.</p> - -<div class="poem"> -'Withdraw not from the friendship of the honourable;<br /> -Abandon not the support of the elect.'<br /> -</div> - -<p>"The heart of the sultan's crum-eater was melted by this -pathetic address; she promised her new friend should accompany -her on the next visit to the palace. The latter overjoyed went -down immediately from the terrace, and communicated every -particular to the old woman, who addressed her with the following -counsel:</p> - -<p>"'Be not deceived, my dearest friend, with the worldly -language you have listened to; abandon not your corner of -content, for the cup of the covetous is only to be filled by the -dust of the grave; and the eye of cupidity and hope can only be -closed by the needle of mortality and the thread of fate.</p> - -<div class="poem"> -'It is content that makes men rich;<br /> -Mark this, ye avaricious, who traverse the world:<br /> -He neither knows nor pays adoration to his God,<br /> -Who is dissatisfied with his condition and fortune.'<br /> -</div> - -<p>But the expected feast had taken such possession of poor puss's -imagination that the medicinal counsel of the old woman was -thrown away.</p> - -<div class="poem"> -'The good advice of all the world is like wind in a cage,<br /> -Or water in a sieve, when bestowed on the headstrong.'<br /> -</div> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_80" id="Page_80">[80]</a></span></p> - -<p>"To conclude, next day, accompanied by her companion, the -half-starved cat hobbled to the Sultan's palace. Before this -unfortunate wretch came, as it is decreed that the covetous shall -be disappointed, an extraordinary event had occurred, and, owing -to her evil destiny, the water of disappointment was poured on -the flame of her immature ambition. The case was this; a -whole legion of cats had, the day before, surrounded the feast, -and made so much noise, that they disturbed the guests, and in -consequence the Sultan had ordered that some archers, armed -with bows from Tartary, should, on this day, be concealed, and -that whatever cat advanced into the field of valour, covered with -the shield of audacity, should, on eating the first morsel, be -overtaken with their arrows. The old dame's puss was not -aware of this order. The moment the flavour of the viands -reached her, she flew, like an eagle to the place of her prey.</p> - -<p>"Scarcely had the weight of a mouthful been placed in the -scale to balance her hunger, when a heart-dividing arrow pierced -her breast.</p> - -<div class="poem"> -'A stream of blood rushed from the wound.<br /> -She fled, in dread of death, after having exclaimed,<br /> -Should I escape from this terrific archer,<br /> -I will be satisfied with my mouse and the miserable hut of my old mistress.<br /> -My soul rejects the honey if accompanied by the sting.<br /> -Content, with the most frugal fare, is preferable.'"<br /> -</div> - -<p>This fable is a fair specimen of the style of such compositions; -but it is in the deebāchehs, or introductions to letters or books, -that "The fiery steed of the two-tongued pen" (meaning a split -reed) is allowed to run wild amidst the rich pasture of the verdant -field of imagination.</p> - -<p>A better proof of the latitude taken on such occasions cannot -be given than in the preamble to the treaty concluded by the -Elchee on his first mission to Persia, of which the following is a -literal translation:—<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_81" id="Page_81">[81]</a></span> -"After the voice is raised to the praise and glory of the -God of the world, and the brain is perfumed with the scent of -the saints and prophets, to whom be health and glory; whose -rare perfections are perpetually chanted by birds<a name="FNanchor_35_35" id="FNanchor_35_35"></a><a href="#Footnote_35_35" class="fnanchor">[35]</a> of melodious -notes, furnished with two, three, and four pairs of wings; and -to the Highest, seated in the heavens, for whom good has been -predestinated; and the perfume mixed with musk, which -scenteth the celestial mansions of those that sing hymns in the -ethereal sphere, and to the light of the flame of the Most High, -which gives radiant splendour to the collected view of those -who dwell in the heavenly regions; the clear meaning of the -treaty, which has been established on a solid basis, is fully explained -on this page; and as it is fixed as a principle of law, -that, in this world of existence and trouble, in this universe of -creation and concord, there is no action among those of mankind -which tends more to the perfection of the human race, or to -answer the end of their being and existence, than that of cementing -friendship, and of establishing intercourse, communication, -and connexion betwixt each other. The image reflected from -the mirror of accomplishment is a tree fruitful and abundant, and -one that produces good both now and hereafter. To illustrate -the allusions that it has been proper to make, and explain these -metaphors, worthy of exposition at this happy period of auspicious -aspect, a treaty has been concluded between the high in -dignity, the exalted in station, attended by fortune, of great and -splendid power, the greatest among the high viziers in whom -confidence is placed, the faithful of the powerful government, -the adorned with greatness, power, glory, splendour, and fortune, -Hajee Ibrahim Khan; on being granted leave, and vested -with authority from the porte of the high king, whose court is -like that of Solomon; the asylum of the world; the sign of the -power of God; the jewel in the ring of kings; the ornament -in the cheek of eternal empire; the grace of the beauty of -sovereignty and royalty; the king of the universe, like Caherman; -the mansion of mercy and justice; the phœnix of good -fortune; the eminence of never-fading prosperity; the king -powerful as Alexander, who has no equal among the princes, -exalted to majesty by the Heavens on this globe; a shade from -the shade of the Most High; a Khoosroo, whose saddle is the -moon, and whose stirrup is the new moon; a prince of great -rank, before whom the sun is concealed. * * * * * * * -And the high in dignity; the great and mighty in power; the -ornament of those acquainted with manners ******; delegated<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_82" id="Page_82">[82]</a></span> -from the sublime quarter of the high in power seated on a -throne; the asylum of the world; the chief jewel in the crown -of royalty and sovereignty; the anchor of the vessel of victory -and fortune; the ship on the sea of glory and empire; the blazing -sun in the sky of greatness and glory; lord of the countries -of England and India; may God strengthen his territories, and -establish his glory and command upon the seas, in the manner -explained in his credentials! which are sealed with the seal of -the most powerful, and most glorious, possessing fortune, the -origin of rank, splendour, and nobility; the ornament of the -world; the accomplisher of the works of mankind; the Governor-General -of India!"</p> - -<p>This preamble is not less remarkable for its flowery diction -than for the art by which it saves the dignity of the king of -Persia from the appearance of treating with any one below the -rank of a monarch. It is also curious to observe, that after introducing -the king of England, how skilfully he is limited to an -undisputed sovereignty of the seas, that his power may not clash -with that of the mighty Khoosroo of the day, "whose saddle is -the moon, and whose stirrup is the new moon," in his dominion -over the earth!</p> - -<p>Speaking on the above subjects to Aga Meer, I asked him if -their monarchs were as much delighted with this hyperbolical -style as the Meerzās or Secretaries. "Not at all," said he: -"the late king, Aga Mahomed, who was remarkable for his -hatred of ornament and show in every form, when his secretaries -began with their flattering introductions, used to lose all temper, -and exclaim, 'To the contents, you scoundrel.'"<a name="FNanchor_36_36" id="FNanchor_36_36"></a><a href="#Footnote_36_36" class="fnanchor">[36]</a> "Flowery -introductions," said the Meer, "if he had lived long enough, -would have gone out of fashion; but the present king prides -himself upon being a fine writer, both in prose and verse, and -the consequence is, as you see in the preamble of this treaty, a -composition which I know was honoured by his particular approbation."</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_83" id="Page_83">[83]</a></span></p> - -<p>It is but justice to some of the most distinguished Persian -authors to add, that there are many exceptions to this redundant -style of composition. In the pages of their greatest poets, -Firdousee, Nizāmee, Sādee, and Anwerree, we meet with many -passages as remarkable for the beauty and simplicity of the expression, -as the truth and elevation of the sentiments; and many -of their historians have given us plain narrations of facts, unencumbered -with those ornaments and metaphors which are so -popular with the generality of their countrymen.</p> - -<p>How simply and beautifully has Sādee depicted the benefit of -good society in the following well-known apologue!</p> - -<p>"One day as I was in the bath, a friend of mine put into my -hand a piece of scented clay. I took it, and said to it, 'Art -thou musk or ambergris, for I am charmed with thy perfume?' -It answered, 'I was a despicable piece of clay, but I was some -time in the company of the rose; the sweet quality of my companion -was communicated to me, otherwise I should be only a -bit of clay, as I appear to be!'"</p> - -<p>And in another<a name="FNanchor_37_37" id="FNanchor_37_37"></a><a href="#Footnote_37_37" class="fnanchor">[37]</a> he has given, with equal force and simplicity, -the character of true affection:—</p> - -<p>"There was an affectionate and amiable youth who was -betrothed to a beautiful girl. I have read, that as they were -sailing in the great sea they fell together into a whirlpool: when -a mariner went to the young man, that he might catch his hand, -and save him from perishing in that unhappy juncture, he called -aloud, and pointed to his mistress from the midst of the waves: -'Leave me, and save my beloved!' The whole world admired -him for that speech; and when expiring, he was heard to say—'Learn -not the tale of love from that wretch who forgets his -beloved in the hour of danger.'"</p> - -<p>We often meet with Persian letters written in a style at once -clear and nervous. Of these there cannot be a better example -than that addressed by Nizām-ool-Moolk, the predecessor of the -present Soobāh, or ruler of the Deccan, to Mahomed Shāh, the -weak and luxurious Emperor of Delhi. This letter, besides the -merit of its style, possesses that of conveying a just idea of what -Mahomedans conceive to be the duties and pursuits of a good -and great monarch, a character which is with them invariably -associated with that of a military conqueror.</p> - -<p>The following extracts from this well-known production are -very literal:</p> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_84" id="Page_84">[84]</a></span></p> -<p>"It is the duty of princes to see that the laws are strictly -obeyed; that the honour of their subjects be preserved inviolate; -that justice be rendered to all men; and that loyal nobles and -ancient pillars of the state, whose claims to reward are established -and acknowledged, be distinguished according to their -merits. It is their duty, too, to seek for pleasure in woods and -deserts;<a name="FNanchor_38_38" id="FNanchor_38_38"></a><a href="#Footnote_38_38" class="fnanchor">[38]</a> to labour unremittingly in the chastisement of the -seditious and refractory; to watch over the rights and happiness -of the lower order of their subjects; to shun the society of the -mean, and to abstain from all prohibited practices, to the end -that none of their people may be able to transgress against the -precepts of religion or morality.</p> - -<p>"It is also the duty of princes to be constantly employed in -enlarging their dominions, and in encouraging and rewarding -their soldiery; it being in the seat of his saddle alone that a king -can properly repose. It was in conformity to this opinion the -ancestors<a name="FNanchor_39_39" id="FNanchor_39_39"></a><a href="#Footnote_39_39" class="fnanchor">[39]</a> of your majesty established it as a domestic rule, that -their wives should be delivered on their saddle-cloths, although -the moment of child-birth is of all others the one wherein convenience -and comfort are most consulted. And they ordained that -this usage should invariably be observed by their descendants, to -the end that these might never forget the hardy and manly -character of their progenitors, or give themselves up to the -slothful and enervating luxury of palaces.</p> - -<p>"It is not in the melodious notes of the musician, or the soft -tones of the mimic singer, that true and delightful harmony consists; -but it is in the clash of arms, the thunder of cannon, and -in the piercing sound of the trumpet, which assembles together -the ranks in the field of battle. It is not by decking out the -charms of a favourite female that power and dominion are to be -maintained, but by manfully wielding the sword; nor is it in -celebrating the Hoolee<a name="FNanchor_40_40" id="FNanchor_40_40"></a><a href="#Footnote_40_40" class="fnanchor">[40]</a> with base eunuchs, that men of real -spirit are seen to sprinkle each other with red, but it is in the -conflict of heroes with intrepid enemies.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_85" id="Page_85">[85]</a></span></p> - -<p>"It being solely with the view of correcting the errors of -your Majesty's government, and of restoring its ancient splendour, -that the meanest of your servants has been moved, by the -warmth of his zeal and attachment, to impart his sentiments to -your Majesty, he has made up his mind to the consequences of -this well-meant freedom, and will cheerfully submit to his fate; -being in the mean time, however, determined (God willing) to -persevere in the design which he has formed, of endeavouring to -re-establish the affairs of the empire by every means that may be -consistent with his duty and with propriety."</p> - -<p>The affecting death of Yezdijird, the last of the Kaiānian race -of kings, affords a fair specimen of that plain and distinct style -in which some of the best histories of Persia are written. It is as -follows:</p> - -<p>"When the inhabitants of Merv heard that Yezdijird had fled -from Persia, and was within their territory, they were anxious to -apprehend and destroy him. They accordingly addressed a letter -to Tanjtākh, the King of Tartary, stating, 'The King of Persia -has fled from the Arabs and taken refuge with us; we are not -inclined to be his adherents, we are more favourably inclined -towards you, whose approach we desire, that we may be freed -from him, and place ourselves under your protection.'</p> - -<p>"As soon as Tanjtākh received this letter he desired to gain -possession of Merv, and marched with a considerable army towards -that city. Yezdijird, hearing of his near approach, and of -the force by which he was accompanied, departed from the -Cāravānserāi where he had alighted, at midnight, unattended -and undetermined where to go. As he walked straight forward, -he saw a light on the side of a stream, to which he directed his -footsteps. He found a miller engaged in the labours of his mill, -to whom he said, 'I am a man in desperate circumstances, and -have an enemy whom I have every reason to dread; afford me -an asylum for this one night; to-morrow I will give you what -may make you easy for life.' The miller replied, 'Enter that -mill, and remain there.' Yezdijird went into the mill, and laying -sorrow aside, went composedly to sleep. When the miller's -servants observed that he was gone to rest, and entirely off his<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_86" id="Page_86">[86]</a></span> -guard, they armed themselves with clubs, and falling upon him -slew him. Having done this they stripped the body of the gold -and silver ornaments, the imperial robe, and the crown: then -taking the corpse by the feet, they dragged it along, and threw -it into the mill-dam.</p> - -<p>"Next day Tanjtākh arrived at Merv, and the inhabitants -sought Yezdijird in every direction. By chance the miller being -met, was interrogated. He denied having any knowledge of -him; but one of his servants, who was dressed in a woollen garment, -having come before them, they, discovering that he smelt -strongly of perfume, tore open his garment, and found Yezdijird's -imperial robe, scented with ottar and other essences, hid in his -bosom. They now examined all the other servants, and found -that each had some article secreted about his person; and after -being put to the torture they confessed the whole transaction.</p> - -<p>"Tanjtākh immediately sent people to search the mill-dam for -the body, which they soon found and laid before him. When -he saw the corpse of the king he wept bitterly, and ordered it to -be embalmed with spices and perfumes; and he further directed, -that after it was wrapt, according to the usage of the Kaiānian -monarchs, in a shroud, and placed in a coffin, it should be sent -to Persia to be interred in the same place, and with the same -ceremonies, as other sovereigns of the race of Kaiān.</p> - -<p>"Tanjtākh also commanded that the miller and his servants -should be put to death."</p> - -<p>What has been said in this chapter, and the examples of the -various styles with which my opinions have been illustrated, -will satisfy the reader that the mine of Persian literature contains -every substance, from the dazzling diamond to the useful -granite, and that its materials may be employed with equal success -to build castles in the air or upon the earth. My prejudices -are, I confess, in favour of the former fabrics, which in the East -are constructed with a magnificence unknown to the graver -spirits of our Western hemisphere.</p> - -<div class="footnotes"><h3>FOOTNOTES:</h3> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_34_34" id="Footnote_34_34"></a><a href="#FNanchor_34_34"><span class="label">[34]</span></a> This, with some other verses in the fable, are from Persian poets of -celebrity, whose stanzas it is an invariable usage to introduce in such compositions.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_35_35" id="Footnote_35_35"></a><a href="#FNanchor_35_35"><span class="label">[35]</span></a> A metaphorical name for angels.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_36_36" id="Footnote_36_36"></a><a href="#FNanchor_36_36"><span class="label">[36]</span></a> Be-mezmoon Badbakht.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_37_37" id="Footnote_37_37"></a><a href="#FNanchor_37_37"><span class="label">[37]</span></a> Both these Apologues have been translated by Sir W. Jones.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_38_38" id="Footnote_38_38"></a><a href="#FNanchor_38_38"><span class="label">[38]</span></a> Alluding to hunting and other field sports.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_39_39" id="Footnote_39_39"></a><a href="#FNanchor_39_39"><span class="label">[39]</span></a> The Princes of Tartary. The country we term Tartary is by the -Asiatics called Tūrkistan. We have given the name of a small tribe of -Moghuls to the whole region inhabited by that and other races, in the same -manner as the Oriental nations called Europe Faringastān, or the country of -the Franks, because they first became acquainted with the people of France.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_40_40" id="Footnote_40_40"></a><a href="#FNanchor_40_40"><span class="label">[40]</span></a> A remarkable festival held in India to celebrate the commencement of -the new year, in which they fling red powder at one another: it commences -at the vernal equinox.</p></div></div> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_87" id="Page_87">[87]</a></span></p> - - -<h2>CHAPTER XI.</h2> - -<blockquote> - -<p>Shiraz—Shaikh-ool-Islām, or Chief Judge—Story of Abd-ool-Kādir—Entertainments—Derveesh -Seffer—Story of Abdūlla of Khorassan—Persian -Poet.</p></blockquote> - - -<p>Our only occupation at Shiraz was feasting, visiting, and giving -and receiving presents. The cupidity of the Persians exceeded -all bounds, and ministers, courtiers, merchants, wits, and poets, -were running a race for the Elchee's favour, which was often -accompanied by a watch, a piece of chintz, or of broadcloth. -Their conduct confirmed me in a belief I had imbibed at Abusheher, -that all the Persians were crafty and rapacious rogues. -I like to decide quickly; it saves trouble; and when once decided, -I am particularly averse to believe my judgment is not -infallible.</p> - -<p>The Envoy had hired, as before noticed, for his Persian -secretary, a mild moderate man, who appeared to have both -good sense and good principle: but although some time had -elapsed, and I had watched him narrowly without discerning a -flaw, I attributed this to his art, and I therefore gave little heed -to his reasoning when he used to plead for his countrymen, -urging (as he often did), that, from our being strangers, and -from our reputation for wealth, generosity, and inexperience, -we were naturally exposed to the attacks of the cunning and designing, -from whose conduct we drew general inferences, which -were not quite fair. "We are not all so bad as you think us," -the good Aga Meer used to say, with a smile; "we have some -redeeming characters; these may be rare, but still they exist; -but that, you English will as yet hardly believe." He used frequently -to mention to me, as one, a relation of his own, the -Shaikh-ool-Islām, or Chief Judge and Priest of Shiraz: "He -was," he said, "a person who combined sense and information -with piety and humility. He has never come," added he,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_88" id="Page_88">[88]</a></span> -"like these greedy nobles and hungry poets, to prey upon the -munificence of the Elchee; and when the latter, hearing that his -sight was weak, sent him a pair of spectacles beautifully mounted -in silver, he returned them, requesting a pair set in common -tortoise-shell." Though I heard the account of this paraded -humility with a smile, I was very happy to find we were to meet -this paragon of modest merit at a breakfast, to which Mahomed -Hoosein Khan, the son of the minister Hajee Ibrahim, had invited -the Envoy.</p> - -<p>The party assembled at the garden of Sādee, and we were -seated near a fountain close to the tomb of the Persian moralist. -There was some punctilio in taking our places: but the Elchee, -though a stickler for rank with the temporal lords, insisted upon -giving the highest seat to the Shaikh-ool-Islām, who at last consented -to take it, observing, the compliment, he felt, was not -personal, but meant to his situation as a minister of religion. I -sat near, and listened attentively to his conversation, in the hope -of detecting the Persian, but was not successful. "You must," -he said to the Envoy, "believe me to be void of rational curiosity, -and a man who affects humility, because I have not only -never been to pay my respects, but when you sent me these -costly and beautiful spectacles, I solicited a cheaper and less -showy pair. In both instances, however, I acted against my -personal inclinations from an imperative sense of duty. My -passion," said the Shaikh, "is to hear the history, the manners, -and usages of foreign countries; and where could I have such -an opportunity of gratifying my curiosity as in your society? I -was particularly pleased with the silver spectacles; the glasses -suited my eyes; and others in my house besides myself," said -he, smiling, "thought they were very becoming. But I was -forced in both cases to practise self-denial. The poor have no -shield between them and despotic power, but persons in my condition; -and they naturally watch our conduct with great vigilance -and jealousy: had I, for my own gratification, visited you, -and displayed on my person the proofs of your liberality, they -would have thought their judge was like others, and have lost -some portion of their confidence in my best efforts to protect -them. Besides, ministers and courtiers would have rejoiced in -my departure from those rigid rules, the observance of which<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_89" id="Page_89">[89]</a></span> -enables us expounders of the Koran to be some check upon them. -These were my motives," concluded the Shaikh-ool-Islām, "for -a conduct which must have seemed almost rude; but you will -now understand it, and not condemn me."</p> - -<p>The Envoy was evidently delighted with his new friend, and -their conversation was protracted for several hours. The Shaikh-ool-Islām -endeavoured to impress him with a favourable opinion -of the law of which he was an organ, and illustrated his arguments -with anecdotes of religious and learned men, of which I -shall give those that struck me as the happiest.</p> - -<p>The celebrated Aboo Yūsuph, he said, who was chief judge of -Bagdad in the reign of the Caliph Hādee, was a very remarkable -instance of that humility which distinguishes true wisdom. His -sense of his own deficiencies often led him to entertain doubts, -where men of less knowledge and more presumption were decided. -"It is related of this judge," said the Shaikh-ool-Islām, -"that on one occasion, after a very patient investigation of facts, -he declared that his knowledge was not competent to decide -upon the case before him." "Pray, do you expect," said a pert -courtier, who heard this declaration, "that the caliph is to pay -your ignorance?" "I do not," was the mild reply; "the caliph -pays me, and well, for what I do know; if he were to attempt -to pay me for what I do not know, the treasures of his empire -would not suffice."</p> - -<p>The orthodox Shaikh spoke with more toleration than I -expected of the Soofees, who, from the wild and visionary doctrines -which they profess, are in general held up by the Mahomedan -priests as objects of execration. "There were," he -observed, "many good and most exemplary men included in -this sect, merely because they were enthusiasts in religion. Besides," -said the Shaikh, "both our poets, Hāfiz and Sādee, but -particularly the former, were Soofees; and what native of -Shiraz can pass a harsh sentence upon them? We must," he -continued, "lament the errors of Soofees in consideration of -their virtues; and even in their wildest wanderings they convey -the most important lessons—for instance, how simply and beautifully -has Abd-ool-Kādir of Ghilan impressed us with the love -of truth in a story of his childhood."<a name="FNanchor_41_41" id="FNanchor_41_41"></a><a href="#Footnote_41_41" class="fnanchor">[41]</a></p> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_90" id="Page_90">[90]</a></span></p> -<p>After stating the vision which made him entreat of his -mother to allow him to go to Bagdad and devote himself to God, -he thus proceeds. "I informed her of what I had seen, and she -wept: then taking out eighty dinars, she told me that as I had -a brother, half of that was all my inheritance; she made me -swear, when she gave it me, never to tell a lie, and afterwards -bade me farewell, exclaiming, 'Go, my son, I consign thee to -God; we shall not meet again till the day of judgment.' I went -on well," he adds, "till I came near to Hamadān, when our -kāfillah was plundered by sixty horsemen: one fellow asked me, -'what I had got?' 'Forty dinars,' said I, 'are sewed under -my garments.' The fellow laughed, thinking, no doubt, I was -joking with him. 'What have you got?' said another; I gave -him the same answer. When they were dividing the spoil, I -was called to an eminence where the chief stood: 'What property -have you got my little fellow?' said he. 'I have told two -of your people already,' I replied, 'I have forty dinars sewed -up carefully in my clothes!' He ordered them to be ript -open, and found my money.—'And how came you,' said he, -with surprise, 'to declare so openly, what has been so carefully -hidden?' 'Because,' I replied, 'I will not be false to my -mother, to whom I have promised that I will never tell a lie,' -'Child,' said the robber, 'hast thou such a sense of thy duty to -thy mother at thy years, and am I insensible, at my age, of the -duty I owe to my God? Give me thy hand, innocent boy,' he -continued, 'that I may swear repentance upon it.' He did so—his -followers were all alike struck with the scene. 'You have -been our leader in guilt,' said they to their chief, 'be the same -in the path of virtue;' and they instantly, at his order, made -restitution of their spoil, and vowed repentance on my hand."</p> - -<p>The Elchee, before this party separated, endeavoured to persuade -the high priest to allow him the pleasure of a more frequent -intercourse; but his kind invitations were declined in a -manner and for reasons which satisfied me I had at least met -with one good Persian.</p> - -<p>While at Shiraz, we were entertained by the prince, his -ministers, and some of the principal inhabitants. A breakfast -was given to the Elchee, at a beautiful spot near the Hazār -Bāgh, or thousand gardens, in the vicinity of Shiraz; and we<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_91" id="Page_91">[91]</a></span> -were surprised and delighted to find that we were to enjoy this -meal on a stack of roses. On this a carpet was laid, and we sat -cross-legged like the natives. The stack, which was as large as -a common one of hay in England, had been formed without -much trouble from the heaps or cocks of rose-leaves, collected -before they were sent into the city to be distilled. We were -told our party was the first to which such a compliment had -been paid. Whether this was the case or not, our mount of -roses, added to the fine climate, verdant gardens, and clear rills, -gave a character of singular luxuriance to this rural banquet.</p> - -<p>We were at several evening parties. The dinner given by the -minister, Mahomed Nebbee Khan, was the most magnificent. -He has been in India; and some English usages, to please and -accommodate us, were grafted on the Persian. We went at five -o'clock in the evening, and were received in his state hall. In -the court-yard, in front of the room in which we sat, were -assembled rope-dancers, wrestlers, musicians, lions, bears, and -monkeys, all of which exhibited their different feats till sunset; -when, after being regaled with coffee, kelliāns, and sweetmeats, -we were conducted to another apartment, where we found a dessert -of fruit very elegantly laid out in the English style. After -sitting in this room for about an hour, we returned to the state -hall, which we had no sooner entered than the fireworks commenced; -and though the space where they were exhibited was -very confined, they were the best I ever saw. The rockets were -let off from a frame which kept them together, and produced a -beautiful effect. There was another sort called zembooreh, or -swivels, which made a report like a twelve pounder, and added -great spirit and effect to this exhibition. After it was over -we had a most sumptuous repast of fine pelaws, &c., and iced -sherbets.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_92" id="Page_92">[92]</a></span></p> - -<p>The day before we left Shiraz, Derveesh Seffer, my old -acquaintance, paid the Elchee a visit. This remarkable man, -who has charge of the shrines<a name="FNanchor_42_42" id="FNanchor_42_42"></a><a href="#Footnote_42_42" class="fnanchor">[42]</a> (including those of Sādee and -Hāfiz) near Shiraz, is esteemed one of the best reciters of poetry -and tellers of tales in Persia; and there is no country in the -world where more value is placed upon such talents; he who -possesses them in an eminent degree is as certain of fortune and -fame as the first actors in Europe. Derveesh Seffer, who is -honoured by the royal favour, has a very melodious voice, over -which he has such power as to be able to imitate every sound, -from that of the softest feminine to the harshest masculine voice. -The varied expression of his countenance is quite as astonishing -as his voice, and his action is remarkably graceful, and always -suited to his subject. His memory is not only furnished with -an infinite variety of stories, but with all the poetry of his -country; this enables him to give interest and effect to the most -meagre tale, by apt quotations from the first authors of Persia. -Those told by persons like him usually blend religious feeling -with entertainment, and are meant to recommend charity; but I -cannot better conclude this account of my friend the Derveesh -than by giving a tale which he recited to the Envoy, with a -view no doubt of impressing him with a belief that worldly -success might be promoted by munificence, in any shape, to -shrines like those of which he had charge.</p> - -<p>The Derveesh having seated himself in a proper position, -commenced with a fine passage from the poet Nizāmee in praise -of those who, possessing the talent of recitation, give currency -and effect to the noble thoughts of departed genius. After a -short pause he began his tale.</p> - -<p>"In a sequestered vale of the fruitful province of Khorassan -there lived a peasant called Abdūlla. He had married a person -in his own rank of life, who, though very plain in her appearance, -had received from her fond father the fine name of Zeebā, -or the beautiful; to which act of parental folly the good woman -owed the few seeds of vanity that mixed in her homely character. -It was this feeling that led her to name her two children -Yūsuph and Fatima, conceiving, no doubt, that the fortunate -name of the son of Yācoob, the vizier of Far'oun, and fascinator -of Zuleikhā,<a name="FNanchor_43_43" id="FNanchor_43_43"></a><a href="#Footnote_43_43" class="fnanchor">[43]</a> would aid the boy in his progress through life; -while there could be no doubt of her little girl receiving equal -advantages from being named after the daughter of the Prophet, -and the wife of the renowned Ali.</p> - -<p>"With all these family pretensions from high names, no -man's means could be more humble, or views more limited, than -those of Abdūlla; but he was content and happy: he was -strong and healthy, and laboured for the reis or squire, who -owned the land on which his cottage stood—he had done so -from youth, and had never left, nor ever desired to leave, -his native valley. The wages of his labour were paid in grain -and cloth, sufficient for the food and clothing of his family and -himself; with money he was unacquainted except by name.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_93" id="Page_93">[93]</a></span></p> - -<p>"It happened, however, one day, that the reis was so well -pleased with Abdūlla's exertions that he made him a present of -ten piastres. Abdūlla could hardly express his thanks, he was -so surprised and overjoyed at this sudden influx of wealth. The -moment he could get away from his daily labour he ran home to -his wife:—'There, my Zeebā,' said he, 'there are riches for -you!' and he spread the money before her. The astonishment -and delight of the good woman was little less than that of her -husband, and the children were called to share in the joy of -their parents. 'Well,' said Abdūlla, still looking at the money, -'the next thing to consider is what is to be done with this vast -sum. The reis has given me to-morrow as a holiday, and I do -think, my dear wife, if you approve, I will go to the famous city -of Meshed; I never saw it, but it is not above six or seven -fersekhs distant. I will pay my devotions at the shrine of the -holy Imām Mehdee, upon whom be God's blessing, and like a -good Mahomedan deposit there two piastres—one fifth of my wealth—and -then I will go to the great bazar, of which I have heard so -much, and purchase with the remainder every thing you, my dear -wife and children, can wish; tell me what you would like best.</p> - -<p>"'I will be moderate,' said Zeebā; 'I want nothing but a -piece of handsome silk for a dress; I think it would be becoming -and as she said so, all the associations to which her father had -given birth when he gave her a name shot across her mind. -'Bring me,' said the sturdy little Yūsuph, 'a nice horse and a -sword.' 'And me,' said his sister, in a softer tone, 'an Indian -handkerchief and a pair of golden slippers.' 'Every one of -these articles shall be here to-morrow evening,' said Abdūlla, as -he kissed his happy family; and early next morning, taking a -stout staff in his hand, he commenced his journey towards -Meshed.</p> - -<p>"When Abdūlla approached the holy city his attention was -first attracted by the cluster of splendid domes and minarets,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_94" id="Page_94">[94]</a></span> -which encircled the tomb of the holy Imām Mehdee, whose -roofs glittered with gold. He gazed with wonder at a sight -which appeared to him more like those which the faithful are -promised in heaven, than any thing he ever expected to see on -this earth. Passing through the streets which led to such magnificent -buildings, he could look at nothing but them. When -arrived at the gate of the sacred shrine, he stopped for a moment -in silent awe, and asked a venerable priest, who was reading the -Koran, if he might proceed, explaining at the same time his -object. 'Enter, my brother,' said the old man; 'bestow your -alms, and you shall be rewarded; for one of the most pious of -the caliphs has said—'Prayer takes a man half way to paradise; -fasting brings him to its portals; but these are only opened to -him who is charitable."</p> - -<p>"Having deposited, like a good and pious Mussulman, the -fifth<a name="FNanchor_44_44" id="FNanchor_44_44"></a><a href="#Footnote_44_44" class="fnanchor">[44]</a> of his treasure on the shrine of the holy Imām, Abdūlla -went to the great bazar; on entering which his senses were quite -confounded by the novel sight of the pedestrian crowd hurrying -to and fro; the richly caparisoned horses, the splendid trains of -the nobles, and the loaded camels and mules, which filled the -space between rich shops, where every ware of Europe, India, -China, Tartary, and Persia was displayed. He gazed with open -mouth at every thing he saw, and felt for the first time what an -ignorant and insignificant being he had hitherto been. Though -pushed from side to side by those on foot, and often nearly run -over by those on horseback, it was some time before he became -aware of the dangers to which his wonder exposed him. These -accidents however soon put him out of humour with the bustle -he had at first so much admired, and determined him to finish his -business and return to his quiet home.</p> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_95" id="Page_95">[95]</a></span></p> -<p>"Entering a shop where there was a number of silks, such as -he had seen worn by the family of the reis, he inquired for their -finest pieces. The shopman looked at him, and observing from -his dress that he was from the country, concluded he was one of -those rich farmers, who, notwithstanding the wealth they have -acquired, maintain the plain habits of the peasantry, to whom -they have a pride in belonging. He, consequently, thought he -had a good customer; that is, a man who added to riches but -little knowledge of the article he desired to purchase. With this -impression he tossed and tumbled over every piece of silk in his -shop. Abdūlla was so bewildered by their beauty and variety, -that it was long before he could decide; at last he fixed upon -one, which was purple with a rich embroidered border. 'I will -take this,' he said, wrapping it up, and putting it under his arm; -'What is the price?'—'I shall only ask you, who are a new -customer,' said the man, 'two hundred piastres; I should ask -any one else three or four hundred for so exquisite a specimen of -manufacture, but I wish to tempt you back again, when you -leave your beautiful lands in the country to honour our busy -town with your presence.' Abdūlla stared, replaced the silk, -and repeated in amazement—'Two—hundred—piastres! you -must be mistaken; do you mean such piastres as these?' taking -one out of the eight he had left in his pocket, and holding it up -to the gaze of the astonished shopkeeper. 'Certainly I do,' -said the latter; 'and it is very cheap at that price.' 'Poor -Zeebā!' said Abdūlla, with a sigh at the thoughts of her disappointment. -'Poor who?' said the silk-mercer. 'My wife,' said -Abdūlla. 'What have I to do with your wife?' said the man, -whose tone altered as his chance of sale diminished. 'Why,' -said Abdūlla, 'I will tell you all: I have worked hard for the -reis of our village ever since I was a boy; I never saw money -till yesterday, when he gave me ten piastres. I came to Meshed, -where I had never been before. I had given, like a good Mussulman, -a fifth of my wealth to the Imām Mehdee, the holy descendant -of our blessed Prophet, and with the eight remaining -piastres I intend to buy a piece of embroidered silk for my good -wife, a horse and sword for my little boy, and an Indian handkerchief -and a pair of golden slippers for my darling daughter; -and here you ask me two hundred piastres for one piece of silk -How am I to pay you, and with what money am I to buy the other -articles? tell me that,' said Abdūlla, in a reproachful tone. -'Get out of my shop!' said the enraged vender of silks; 'here -have I been wasting my valuable time, and rumpling my choicest -goods, for a fool and a madman! Go along to your Zeebā and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_96" id="Page_96">[96]</a></span> -your booby children; buy stale cakes and black sugar for them, -and do not trouble me any more.' So saying he thrust his new -and valued customer out of the door.</p> - -<p>"Abdūlla muttered to himself as he went away, 'No doubt -this is a rascal, but there may be honest men in Meshed; I will -try amongst the horse-dealers; and having inquired where these -were to be found, he hastened to get a handsome pony for -Yūsuph. No sooner had he arrived at the horse market, and -made his wishes known, than twenty were exhibited. As he -was admiring one that pranced along delightfully, a friend, -whom he had never seen before, whispered him to beware, that -the animal, though he went very well when heated, was dead -lame when cool. He had nearly made up his mind to purchase -another, when the same man significantly pointed to the hand of -the owner, which was one finger short, and then champing with -his mouth and looking at the admired horse, gave Abdūlla to -understand that his beloved boy might incur some hazard from -such a purchase. The very thought alarmed him; and he turned -to his kind friend, and asked if he could not recommend a suitable -animal? The man said, his brother had one, which, if he -could be prevailed upon to part with, would just answer, but he -doubted whether he would sell him; yet as his son, who used to -ride this horse, was gone to school, he thought he might. Abdūlla -was all gratitude, and begged him to exert his influence. -This was promised and done; and in a few minutes a smart little -grey horse, with head and tail in the air, cantered up. The delighted -peasant conceived Yūsuph on his back, and, in a hurry to -realize his vision, demanded the price. 'Any other person but -yourself,' said the man, 'should not have him for one piastre -less than two hundred; but as I trust to make a friend as well -as a bargain, I have persuaded my brother to take only one hundred -and fifty.' The astonished Abdūlla stepped back—'Why you -horse-dealers,' said he, 'whom I thought were such good men, -are as bad as the silk-mercers!' He then recapitulated to his -friend the rise of his present fortune, and all that had occurred -since he entered Meshed. The man had hardly patience to hear -him to a close; 'And have I,' said he, 'been throwing away -my friendship, and hazarding a quarrel with my brethren, by an -over-zealous honesty to please a fool of a bumpkin! Get along<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_97" id="Page_97">[97]</a></span> -to your Zeebā, and your Yūsuph, and your Fatima, and buy for -your young hopeful the sixteenth share of a jackass! the smallest -portion of that animal is more suited to your means and your -mind, than a hair of the tail of the fine horses you have presumed -to look at!'</p> - -<p>"So saying, he went away in a rage, leaving Abdūlla in perfect -dismay. He thought, however, he might still succeed in -obtaining some of the lesser articles; he, however, met with -nothing but disappointment: the lowest priced sword was thirty -piastres, the golden slippers were twenty, and a small Indian -handkerchief was twelve, being four piastres more than all he -possessed.</p> - -<p>"Disgusted with the whole scene, the good man turned his -steps towards home. As he was passing through the suburbs he -met a holy mendicant exclaiming, 'Charity, charity! He that -giveth to the poor lendeth to the Lord; and he that lendeth to the -Lord shall be repaid a hundred-fold.' 'What is that you say?' said -Abdūlla. The beggar repeated his exclamation. 'You are the -only person I can deal with,' said the good but simple peasant; -'there are eight piastres—all I possess; take them, and use them -in the name of the Almighty, but take care that I am hereafter -paid a hundred-fold, for without it I shall never be able to gratify -my dear wife and children.' And in the simplicity of his -heart he repeated to the mendicant all which had occurred, that -he might exactly understand the situation in which he was -placed.</p> - -<p>"The holy man, scarcely able to suppress a smile as he carefully -folded up the eight piastres, bade Abdūlla to be of good -heart, and rely upon a sure return. He then left him, exclaiming -as before, 'Charity, charity! He that giveth to the poor -lendeth to the Lord; and he that lendeth to the Lord shall be -repaid a hundred-fold.'</p> - -<p>"When Abdūlla came within sight of his cottage, they all -ran to meet him. The breathless Yūsuph was the first who -reached his father: 'Where is my horse and my sword?' 'And -my Indian handkerchief and golden slippers?' said little Fatima, -who had now come up. 'And my silk vest?' said Zeebā, who -was close behind her daughter. 'But wealth has changed your -disposition, my dear Abdūlla!' said the good woman: 'you<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_98" id="Page_98">[98]</a></span> -have become grave, and no doubt,' she added with a smile, 'so -dignified, that you could not be burdened, but have hired a servant -to bring home the horse and to carry the presents for your -family. Well, children, be patient; we shall see every thing in -a few minutes.' Abdūlla shook his head, but would not speak a -word till he entered his dwelling. He then seated himself on -his coarse mat, and repeated all his adventures, every part of -which was heard with temper till his last act, that of giving his -piastres to the mendicant. Zeebā, who had a little more knowledge -of the world than her husband, and whose mind was ruffled -by disappointment, loudly reproached him with his stupidity and -folly in thus throwing away the money he had obtained by the -liberality of the reis, to whom she immediately went and gave -information of all that had occurred. The enraged squire sent -for Abdūlla: 'You blockhead,' said he, 'what have you been -about? I, who am a man of substance, never give more than a -copper coin<a name="FNanchor_45_45" id="FNanchor_45_45"></a><a href="#Footnote_45_45" class="fnanchor">[45]</a> to these vagabond rascals who go about asking -charity; and here you have given one of them eight piastres; -enough to spoil the whole generation; but he promised you a -hundred-fold, and you shall have it to prevent future folly. -Here,' said he to the servants near him, 'seize the fellow, and -give him a hundred stripes!' The order was obeyed as soon as -given, and poor Abdūlla went home on the night of the day -following that which had dawned upon his wealth, sore from a -beating, without a coin in his pocket, out of temper with silk-mercers, -horse-dealers, cutlers, slipper-makers, mendicants, -squires, wives, himself, and all the world.</p> - -<p>"Early next morning Abdūlla was awakened by a message, -that the reis wanted him. Before he went he had forgiven his -wife, who was much grieved at the punishment which her indiscretion -had brought upon her husband. He also kissed his -children, and bid them be of good heart, for he might yet, -through God's favour, make amends for the disappointment he -had caused them. When he came to the reis, the latter said, 'I -have found a job for you, Abdūlla, that will bring you to your -senses: here, in this dry soil, I mean to dig for water, and you -must toil day after day till it is found.' So saying, he went -away, leaving Abdūlla to his own sad reflections and hard labour -He made little progress the first two days; but on the third, -when about six cubits below the surface, he came upon a brass -vessel: on looking into which, he found it full of round white -stones, which were beautiful from their smoothness and fine -lustre. He tried to break one with his teeth, but could not. -'Well,' said he, 'this is no doubt some of the rice belonging to -the squire which has been turned into stones: I am glad of it—he -is a cruel master; I will, however, take them home—they -are very pretty; and now I recollect I saw some very like them -at Meshed for sale. But what can this be? said Abdūlla to -himself, disengaging another pot from the earth—'Oho! these -are darker, they must have been wheat—but they are very beautiful; -and here!' cried he, 'these shining pieces of glass are -finer and brighter than all the rest; but I will try if they are -glass;' and he put one of them between two stones, but could -not break it.</p> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_99" id="Page_99">[99]</a></span></p> -<p>"Pleased with this discovery, and believing he had got something -valuable, but ignorant what it was, he dug out all he -could find, and putting them into a bag carefully concealed it -even from his wife. His plan was, to obtain a day's leave from -his master, and go again to Meshed, where he had hopes of -selling the pretty stones of various colours for as much money as -would purchase the silk vest, the horse, the sword, the slippers, -and the handkerchief. His mind dwelt with satisfaction on the -pleasing surprise it would be to those he loved, to see him return -home, mounted on the horse, and loaded with the other articles. -But while the pious Abdūlla indulged in this dream, he always -resolved that the Imām Mehdee should receive a fifth of whatever -wealth he obtained.</p> - -<p>"After some weeks' hard labour at the well, water was found. -The reis was in good humour, and the boon of a holiday was -granted. Abdūlla departed before daylight, that no one might -see the bag which he carried; when close to Meshed, he concealed -it near the root of a tree, having first taken out two handfuls -of the pretty stones, to try what kind of a market he could -make of them. He went to a shop where he had seen some like -them. He asked the man, pointing to those in the shop, if he -would buy any such articles? 'Certainly,' said the jeweller, for -such he was; 'have you one to sell?' 'One!' said Abdūlla, 'I<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_100" id="Page_100">[100]</a></span> -have plenty.' 'Plenty!' repeated the man. 'Yes: a bag-full.' -'Common pebbles, I suppose; can you show me any?' 'Look -here!' said Abdūlla, taking out a handful, which so surprised -the jeweller that it was some time before he could speak. 'Will -you remain here, honest man,' said he, 'for a moment,' trembling -as he spoke, 'and I will return instantly.' So saying, he -left the shop, but reappeared in a few minutes with the chief -magistrate and some of his attendants. 'There is the man,' said -he; 'I am innocent of all dealings with him: he has found the -long lost treasure of Khoosroo:<a name="FNanchor_46_46" id="FNanchor_46_46"></a><a href="#Footnote_46_46" class="fnanchor">[46]</a> his pockets are filled with -diamonds, rubies, and pearls, in price and lustre far beyond any -existing; and he says he has a bag-full.' The magistrate ordered -Abdūlla to be searched, and the jewels which had been described -were found. He was then desired to show where he had deposited -the bag, which he did; all were carefully sealed, and carried -with Abdūlla to the governor, by whom he was strictly -examined. He told his whole history from first to last: the -receiving of ten piastres; his charity at the shrine of the Imām; -his intended purchases; the conduct of the mercer, the horse-dealer, -the cutler, the slipper-maker; the promises of the mendicant; -the disappointment and anger of his wife; the cruelty of -the reis; the digging of the well; the discovery of the pretty -stones; the plan formed for disposing of them, with the reserve -for further charity: all this was narrated with a clearness and -simplicity that stamped its truth, which was confirmed by the -testimony of his wife and children, who were brought to Meshed. -But notwithstanding this, Abdūlla, his family, and the treasures -he had found, were a few days afterwards despatched for Isfahan, -under a guard of five hundred horsemen. Express couriers were -sent before to advise the ministers of the great Abbas of the -discovery which had been made, and of all that had been -done.</p> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_101" id="Page_101">[101]</a></span></p> -<p>"During these proceedings at Meshed, extraordinary events -occurred at Isfahan. Shāh Abbas the Great saw one night in a -dream the holy Imām Mehdee, clothed in green robes. The -saint, after looking steadfastly at the monarch, exclaimed, 'Abbas, -protect and favour my friend!' The king was much troubled at -this dream, and desired his astrologers and wise men to expound -it: but they could not. On the two following nights the same -vision appeared, and the same words were pronounced. The -monarch lost all temper, and threatened the chief astrologer and -others with death, unless they relieved the anxiety of his mind -before the evening of the same day. While preparations were -making for their execution, the couriers from the governor of -Meshed arrived, and the vizier, after perusing the letters, hastened -to the king. 'Let the mind of the refuge<a name="FNanchor_47_47" id="FNanchor_47_47"></a><a href="#Footnote_47_47" class="fnanchor">[47]</a> of the world be -at repose,' he said: 'for the dream of our monarch is explained. -The peasant Abdūlla of Khorassan, who, though ignorant and -poor, is pious and charitable, and who has become the chosen instrument -of Providence for discovering the treasures of Khoosroo, -is the revealed friend of the holy Imām Mehdee, who has commanded -that this good and humble man be honoured by the protection -and favour of the king of kings.'</p> - -<p>"Shāh Abbas listened to the particulars which were written -from Meshed with delight: his mind was quite relieved, and he -ordered all his nobles and his army to accompany him a day's -march from Isfahan to meet the friend of the holy Imām. When -the approach of the party was announced, the king walked from -his tent a short distance to meet them. First came one hundred -horsemen; next Abdūlla, with his arms bound, sitting on a -camel; after him, on another, his wife Zeebā, and followed by -their children, Yūsuph and Fatima, riding together on a third. -Behind the prisoners was the treasure. A hundred horsemen -guarded each flank, and two hundred covered the rear. Shāh -Abbas made the camels which carried Abdūlla and his family -kneel close to him, and aided, with his royal hands, to untie the -cords by which the good man was bound, while others released -his wife and children. A suit of the king's own robes were -directed to be put upon Abdūlla, and the monarch led him to a -seat close to his throne: but before he would consent to be -seated, he thus addressed his majesty.</p> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_102" id="Page_102">[102]</a></span></p> -<p>"'O King of the Universe, I am a poor man, but I was contented -with my lot, and happy in my family, till I first knew -wealth. From that day my life has been a series of misfortunes: -folly and ambition have made me entertain wishes out of my -sphere, and I have brought disappointment and misfortune on -those I loved best; but now that my death is near, and it pleases -your majesty to amuse yourself with a mock-honour to your -slave, he is satisfied, if your royal clemency will only spare the -lives of that kind woman and these dear children. Let them be -restored to the peace and innocence of their native valley, and -deal with me according to your royal pleasure.'</p> - -<p>"On uttering these words, Abdūlla, overcome by his feelings, -burst into tears. Abbas was himself greatly moved. 'Good -and pious man,' he said, 'I intend to honour, not to slay thee. -Thy humble and sincere prayers, and thy charitable offerings at -the shrine of the holy Mehdee, have been approved and accepted. -He has commanded me to protect and favour thee. Thou shalt -stay a few days at my capital, to recover from thy fatigues, and -return as governor of that province from which thou hast come a -prisoner. A wise minister, versed in the forms of office, shall -attend thee; but in thy piety and honesty of character I shall -find the best qualities for him who is destined to rule over others. -Thy good wife Zeebā has already received the silk vest she so -anxiously expected; and it shall be my charge,' continued the -gracious monarch, with a smile, 'to see Yūsuph provided with a -horse and sword, and that little Fatima shall have her handkerchief -and golden slippers.'</p> - -<p>"The manner as well as the expressions of the king dispelled -all Abdūlla's fears, and filled his heart with boundless gratitude. -He was soon after nominated governor of Khorassan, and became -famous over the country for his humanity and justice. He repaired, -beautified, and richly endowed the shrine of the holy -Imām, to whose guardian care he ever ascribed his advancement. -Yūsuph became a favourite of Abbas, and was distinguished by -his skill in horsemanship, and by his gallantry. Fatima was -married to one of the principal nobles, and the good Zeebā had -the satisfaction through life of being sole mistress in her family, -and having no rival in the affection of her husband, who continued -to cherish, in his exalted situation, those ties and feelings -which had formed his happiness in humble life."</p> - -<p>Such is the story of Abdūlla of Khorassan, as given by my -friend Derveesh Seffer; but the difference between perusing it -and hearing him tell it, is that between reading a play and seeing<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_103" id="Page_103">[103]</a></span> -it acted by the first performers. I had heard him tell this tale -ten years before, when a curious incident occured. Two gentlemen -rose to leave the party when he was commencing: he asked -the cause of their departure. "They do not understand Persian," -I said. "That is of no consequence," he replied; "entreat -them to stay, and they will soon find that their ignorance of the -language does not place them beyond my power." His wishes -were explained, and the result proved he was correct; they were -nearly as much entertained as others, and had their feelings -almost equally excited; such was his admirable expression of -countenance, and so varied the intonations of his voice.</p> - -<p>I was pleased to see my friend Derveesh Seffer treated with -liberality by the Elchee. Such conduct towards persons of his -character and profession makes useful impressions. But here, as -elsewhere, much depends upon the selection of proper objects of -notice; and it is no easy matter to resist the constant attempts -which are made to obtain money or presents.</p> - -<p>A poet of Shiraz, named Moollāh Adam, had gone a stage -from that city to present an ode to the Elchee, whom he had in -this long and laboured production compared to Roostem, the -hero of Persia, for valour; to Peerān-Weeseh, the Solomon of -Tartary, for wisdom; and to Hātim-Tāi, the most munificent of -Arabian princes, for generosity. He had been rewarded for his -trouble, but was not satisfied, and his genius was taxed to obtain -something more. While we were sitting in the room, at the -gateway of the beautiful garden of Jehān-Noomā, looking at the -mules carrying our baggage towards Isfahan, this votary of the -muses made his appearance: his professed object was to take -leave; his real purpose was to read an epigram of four lines,<a name="FNanchor_48_48" id="FNanchor_48_48"></a><a href="#Footnote_48_48" class="fnanchor">[48]</a> the -concluding one of which was—</p> - -<div class="center"> -"Moollāh Adam neek sā'et yāft."<br /> -</div> - -<p>This line, from sā'et signifying hour or watch, might either be -translated,</p> - -<div class="center"> -"Moollāh Adam chose a good (or propitious) hour,"<br /> -</div> - -<p>or,</p> - -<div class="center"> -"Moollāh Adam got a good watch."<br /> -</div> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_104" id="Page_104">[104]</a></span></p> -<p>The animals, laden with the most valuable articles, were at the -moment on the road below the window where we were seated, -and the Elchee, pointing to them, said, "Sā'et goozesht," the -hour is past, or, the watch is gone. The countenance of the -poet, which had, on reading his last line, glistened with expectation, -changed for a moment, but was soon covered with forced -smiles, and he declared that he would rather carry the Elchee's -happy reply into the city than ten watches. I trembled lest this -flattery should succeed: it did not; and he departed apparently -in good humour, but inwardly, no doubt, much disappointed.</p> - -<div class="footnotes"><h3>FOOTNOTES:</h3> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_41_41" id="Footnote_41_41"></a><a href="#FNanchor_41_41"><span class="label">[41]</span></a> This story is given in the History of Persia, vol. ii. p. 405.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_42_42" id="Footnote_42_42"></a><a href="#FNanchor_42_42"><span class="label">[42]</span></a> Tekkeyahs.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_43_43" id="Footnote_43_43"></a><a href="#FNanchor_43_43"><span class="label">[43]</span></a> The frail wife of Potiphar, according to the Mahomedans.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_44_44" id="Footnote_44_44"></a><a href="#FNanchor_44_44"><span class="label">[44]</span></a> The Mahomedan law only requires a small deduction on account of -charity from what is necessary for subsistence; but of all superfluous wealth -(and such Abdūlla deemed his ten piastres) true believers were expected to -give one-fifth to the poor.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_45_45" id="Footnote_45_45"></a><a href="#FNanchor_45_45"><span class="label">[45]</span></a> "Pool-e-siyāh," literally, black coin.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_46_46" id="Footnote_46_46"></a><a href="#FNanchor_46_46"><span class="label">[46]</span></a> Cyrus. There is a common belief in Persia that an immense treasure -was buried by this monarch.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_47_47" id="Footnote_47_47"></a><a href="#FNanchor_47_47"><span class="label">[47]</span></a> Jehān-Penāh.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_48_48" id="Footnote_48_48"></a><a href="#FNanchor_48_48"><span class="label">[48]</span></a> Roobāi or Quatrain.</p></div></div> - - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_105" id="Page_105">[105]</a></span></p> - - - -<h2>CHAPTER XII.</h2> - -<blockquote> - -<p>Persian Servants—Departure from Shiraz—Persepolis—Tale of the Labours -of Roostem—Anecdote of a Sportsman.</p></blockquote> - - -<p>The formation of the Elchee's establishment, which had commenced -at Abusheher, was completed at Shiraz. Servants of -every description were hired; and in all cases the preference was -given to those who had been on our first mission; when such -were dead, that was transferred to their brothers, sons, or near -relations.</p> - -<p>The Persians are more than good-looking, they are a handsome -race of men. All the public and private servants of the -mission were dressed in silk and cloth tunics, with new lamb's-wool -caps, many with silk and some with shawl waistbands; -besides, they were all clean, and had their beards well-trimmed -for the occasion, knowing that, to those who pretend to figure in -the train of an Elchee, personal appearance is of no slight consequence.</p> - -<p>Thus attended, we proceeded towards the footstool of royalty. -Nine splendidly dressed Jelloodārs or grooms, under the direction -of a Meer-Akhoor, or master of the horse, led nine beautiful -horses, richly caparisoned, with saddles and bridles finely ornamented -with gold and silver. Next came eight Shātirs, or running -footmen, dressed in tunics of yellow cloth, trimmed with silver; -and then the Elchee and suite, followed by a large escort of -cavalry, with kettle-drums and trumpets. On the flanks of this -state-line of march were all kinds of Meerzās,<a name="FNanchor_49_49" id="FNanchor_49_49"></a><a href="#Footnote_49_49" class="fnanchor">[49]</a> or secretaries, -and attendants. Amongst the most essential of the latter were -the Paish-Khidmets, or personal servants, who prepared kelliāns, -or pipes for the Elchee and the gentlemen of his train. These -were mounted, and carried before them, fixed like holsters, two -large cases which contained their kelliāns, and all the implements -thereunto appertaining. The most extraordinary part of their -equipment was two small iron chafing-dishes filled with charcoal, -which hung by chains, dangling below their stirrups. From -these grates they lighted the kelliān, which they held in their -hands, presenting their masters with the end of a long pliant -tube, through which the latter smoked, while the Paish-Khidmets -rode a few paces in the rear.</p> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_106" id="Page_106">[106]</a></span></p> -<p>Our cavalcade always preserved the same order even during -our long night-marches, the tediousness of which suggested that -our party wanted a minstrel to shorten the distance by tales of -wonder. This want was no sooner hinted, than an old groom, called -Joozee Beg, came forward and offered his services. He belonged, -he said, to the Zend tribe, and when its chiefs were kings of -Persia he was not neglected. "Moorād Ali Khan, and Lootf -Ali Khan, that miracle of valour," said old Joozee Beg, "have -listened to my voice, when it was exerted to animate<a name="FNanchor_50_50" id="FNanchor_50_50"></a><a href="#Footnote_50_50" class="fnanchor">[50]</a> their -followers to battle; but these days are gone; a Turkish family -wears the crown of Iran;<a name="FNanchor_51_51" id="FNanchor_51_51"></a><a href="#Footnote_51_51" class="fnanchor">[51]</a> I am, like others of my race, in indigence -and obscurity, and now recite verses, which princes loved -to hear, to men like myself of low degree; but if the Elchee -desires, I will repeat some lines fit for a soldier to listen to, from -the Shāh-Nāmeh of Firdousee." This prelude gave more pleasure, -from its near resemblance to that of our well-known northern -minstrel:</p> - -<div class="poem"> -"No longer courted and caressed,<br /> -High placed in hall, a welcome guest,<br /> -He poured, to lord and lady gay,<br /> -The unpremeditated lay.—<br /> -Old times are past, old manners gone,<br /> -A stranger filled the Stuart's throne.<br /> -A wandering harper, scorned and poor,<br /> -He begged his bread from door to door,<br /> -And tuned, to please a peasant's ear,<br /> -The harp a king had loved to hear."<br /> -</div> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_107" id="Page_107">[107]</a></span></p> - -<p>Joozee Beg was told his offer was accepted, and after giving -the horse he led to another, and taking his place in the front of -the running footmen, he began as follows.</p> - -<p>"It is hardly necessary to explain to one with such great -knowledge as the Elchee, and to men of such enlightened -understandings as those by whom he is surrounded, that Siyāvesh, -son of Ky-Kāoos, King of Persia, fled into Tartary, and took -refuge with Afrāsiāb, king of that country, who first gave him -his beautiful daughter Feringhees in marriage, and then put him -to death. The widow of the unfortunate prince was left, with -her infant son, the celebrated Ky-Khoosroo,<a name="FNanchor_52_52" id="FNanchor_52_52"></a><a href="#Footnote_52_52" class="fnanchor">[52]</a> to the persecution -of her tyrannical father, whose conduct provoked the vengeance -of the king and nobles of Persia; but you shall now hear the -first battle, in which the Persians were commanded by that hero -Roostem, and the Turks by their king Afrāsiāb."</p> - -<p>After this prelude, Joozee Beg cleared his throat, and began -to recite in a voice which, though loud and at times almost -deafening, was not without melody. The following is a literal -translation of the fight as given by our minstrel.</p> - -<p>"Hearken to the sound of the drum from two quarters; the -restless warriors are impatient of delay; the trumpet's bray is -heard afar; and the cymbals, clarions, and fifes of India and -China join in the clang of war; the shout of battle reaches the -clouds, and the earth vibrates to the neighing of steeds. When -the noise of the approaching army was heard upon the plain, the -report was conveyed to Roostem, the avenger.<a name="FNanchor_53_53" id="FNanchor_53_53"></a><a href="#Footnote_53_53" class="fnanchor">[53]</a> They told him -the force of Afrāsiāb was near; that his great army rode over -the plain as a proud ship rides upon the seas; that his troops -were in number like ants and locusts, and covered from the eye -of the beholder the mountains, plains, and woods. When -Roostem heard that the army of the King of Turan<a name="FNanchor_54_54" id="FNanchor_54_54"></a><a href="#Footnote_54_54" class="fnanchor">[54]</a> was in -sight, he placed himself in the centre of his force; Zevāreh, his -brother, was posted in the rear; Ferāmerz, his son, was stationed -in front; Toos, with his band, was placed on the right. They -were many in number, but one in heart.<a name="FNanchor_55_55" id="FNanchor_55_55"></a><a href="#Footnote_55_55" class="fnanchor">[55]</a> Feribooz, the son of -Ky-Kāoos,<a name="FNanchor_56_56" id="FNanchor_56_56"></a><a href="#Footnote_56_56" class="fnanchor">[56]</a> was on the left, surrounded by a family of valiant -men; Gooderz covered the rear with his relations, who were all -free and independent<a name="FNanchor_57_57" id="FNanchor_57_57"></a><a href="#Footnote_57_57" class="fnanchor">[57]</a> heroes. The air was darkened with the -swords of the brave, when the glorious standard of Gāveh<a name="FNanchor_58_58" id="FNanchor_58_58"></a><a href="#Footnote_58_58" class="fnanchor">[58]</a> was -unfurled.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_108" id="Page_108">[108]</a></span></p> - -<p>"The leaders of the army of Turan now arrange their shields. -Bahamān commanded their wing: he was surrounded by men as -powerful as they were valiant. The left was led by Rahrem the -renowned, and the centre by King Afrāsiāb in person. The -earth from the hoofs of the horses became of the colour of an -elephant, the air was spotted with lances like the skin of the -leopard. The world had the appearance of a mountain of iron -with a crest of steel. The war-horses neighed, and the standards -fluttered, while the dark-edged swords scattered heads upon the -plain. Peelsem<a name="FNanchor_59_59" id="FNanchor_59_59"></a><a href="#Footnote_59_59" class="fnanchor">[59]</a> rushed from the centre of the army; his heart -was filled with rage, and his visage covered with frowns. He -exclaimed aloud to the heroes of Iran, 'Where is Roostem? -They tell me he is a dragon in the day of battle.' At this -instant a shout was heard from Roostem, which shook all around. -He said to his troops, 'Move not forward from the spot on -which you now are. I go to silence this Peelsem, whose heart -burns with rage, and whose visage is covered with frowns.' -Roostem, foaming with passion, rushed to the front of the battle; -he couched his strong lance, fixed himself in his seat, and raising -his shield to his head, he exclaimed, 'O Peelsem, thou celebrated<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_109" id="Page_109">[109]</a></span> -warrior, hast thou called me forth that thou mightest -consume me with thy breath?' Thus saying, he struck his lance -through Peelsem's body, and raised him on its point from his -saddle, like a light ball. He continued his charge to the centre -of the army of Turan, and casting the body from the point of his -spear, exclaimed, 'Clothe this corpse of your friend in a pale<a name="FNanchor_60_60" id="FNanchor_60_60"></a><a href="#Footnote_60_60" class="fnanchor">[60]</a> -shroud, for the dark dust has soiled it.' Now the shout of -heroes and the blows of maces are heard, and the voice of the -trumpets shakes the earth. The deep drum sounds from the -back of the elephant to the distance of many miles:<a name="FNanchor_61_61" id="FNanchor_61_61"></a><a href="#Footnote_61_61" class="fnanchor">[61]</a> the earth -was wearied by the tread of horses. Each pool became like a -sea with blood, and each plain like a mountain from the slain, -and every stone was turned into coral. Many were the proud -who were laid low on that day. Heaven seemed to call for -blood, and the breast of a father was devoid of mercy for his son. -From the dark flights of the eagle-feathered arrows, with their -steely points, the air was deprived of the space it occupied: the -clashing of swords reached the skies, and blood flowed from the -boundary of India to the Oxus. The flashing of scimitars and -spears, seen through the thick clouds of dust, appeared like the -forked lightning amid the dark clouds of the firmament. The -day was made by death, black, like the face of an Ethiopian. -The numbers of the slain filled the roads, and the plains were -strewed with helmets and shields, and heads were seen as if -lamenting for each other. The hearts of the army of the King -of Turan were broken, and the field of battle became dark -in their sight. 'Our good fortune,' exclaimed Afrāsiāb to his -troops, 'is no longer awake, but sleepeth.' They left the field -covered with iron, silver, and gold; with helmets, lances, and -bucklers. The poorest in the army of Iran became that day a -man of wealth, from the quantity of ornaments and jewels.</p> - -<blockquote> - -<p>"'Whosoever desireth to succeed, and to avoid trouble and danger, will -not wander in the path of the wicked.'"<a name="FNanchor_62_62" id="FNanchor_62_62"></a><a href="#Footnote_62_62" class="fnanchor">[62]</a></p></blockquote> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_110" id="Page_110">[110]</a></span></p> - -<p>Here our bard ended his battle, which differs in some stanzas -from my copy of Firdousee; but that is not surprising, as I -never knew two copies of this celebrated work that did not differ -in a hundred places.</p> - -<p>The attendants of the mission, particularly those who were -of the ancient Persian tribes, and who hate the Tartars, were -delighted with Joozee Beg's battle. We all expressed our satisfaction, -and were assured by the minstrel that we were kaderdāns, -judges of merit. But his delight appeared incomplete, -until he heard the Elchee add to his thanks an order for a present -of a few piastres. He then said he was "happy—he was -honoured;" that he had often heard of the fame of the English -nation, but was now, from personal observation, quite satisfied -they were the first people upon earth.</p> - -<p>The journey from Shiraz to Isfahan abounds with remains of -the former glory of Persia. The greatest is the far-famed Persepolis -of the Greeks, the Elemais of the Hebrews, and the -Istakhar of the Persians. Every traveller has described these -magnificent ruins, which the natives of the country distinguish -by the name of Chehl-Menār (forty<a name="FNanchor_63_63" id="FNanchor_63_63"></a><a href="#Footnote_63_63" class="fnanchor">[63]</a> pillars), and Tekht-e-Jemsheed -(throne of Jemsheed). Some conjecture that it was -formerly a palace, others are quite positive it must have been a -temple. I am much too wise to venture on speculations which -have bewildered so many learned men. My reader must therefore -be satisfied with a conversation I had upon this abstruse -subject with some of my fellow-travellers, when I visited these -monuments of ancient grandeur.</p> - -<p>"This building," said Aga Meer, "was the house of Solomon, -at least so I have read in the History of Shiraz." "And what -did the foolish writer of that book know about Solomon?" said -Mahomed Hoosein Khan; "but the author, I suppose, concluded, -that because Solomon was the wisest of men, he must -choose Persia as his residence; and every Persian will agree in -such a conclusion." "No doubt," said the mild Aga Meer, -either not understanding the little nabob's sarcasm at the -vanity of his countrymen, or not wishing to enter into farther -discussion.</p> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_111" id="Page_111">[111]</a></span></p> -<p>"People are divided," said the Khan, pleased with his own -sally, "whether this was a palace or a temple; if it was built -and inhabited by Jemsheed, it was probably both; for he says, -in the Shāh-nāmeh, 'By the Divine favour, I am both a sovereign -and a priest;'<a name="FNanchor_64_64" id="FNanchor_64_64"></a><a href="#Footnote_64_64" class="fnanchor">[64]</a> and if this first and most wonderful man of -Persia studied his ease and convenience half as much as his -countrymen now do, it is most probable, that, to save himself -trouble, he would join his palace and his temple together."</p> - -<p>"You Europeans," continued Khan Sāhib, turning to me, -"believe that Alexander, to please a beautiful lady, set fire to -this palace in a spirit of mischief; we Mahomedans have the -consolation to think this proud abode of unbelievers was destroyed -when our first caliphs conquered Persia, through a spirit -of holiness. It was a rule," said he, smiling, "of the first -pious propagators of our religion, always to give to infidels an -earnest in this world of what they were to expect in the next; -so they and their profane works were included in one common -sentence of destruction."</p> - -<p>Though neither the Indian Moonshee, Mahomed Hoosein, -nor the Persian Meerzā, liked the levity with which my little -friend treated such a serious subject; they saw he was in too -lively a vein to expect to check him, but they looked grave. -This, he observed, and to change the subject, asked me what I -thought was the meaning of a figure, to which he pointed, half -of whose body appeared rising out of a circle, and to which -wings were attached? I told him, he could not apply to one -who was more ignorant of such subjects than myself, but I -would tell him what the learned of Europe had conjectured regarding -this mystical figure.</p> - -<p>The detail was long, and embraced a variety of opinions; but -I concluded by observing, that the figure was believed to be -that of a Ferooher, or spirit, which, according to the doctrine -of Zoroaster, is an associate of an existing being, with whose -soul or spiritual part it is united before birth and after death.</p> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_112" id="Page_112">[112]</a></span></p> -<p>"These Feroohers," said I, "were sometimes invoked as -guardian angels: they were male and female, and were not, in -their connection with this earth, limited to human creatures; -some of the race belonged to the vegetable world. Trees had -their Feroohers." I was becoming more than learned, I was -mystical, and on the point of showing some striking analogies -between these aerial spirits of the ancient Persians, and the -Sylphs, the Dryads, and the Hamadryads of the Greeks, when -Khan Sāhib, anxious to make amends with his Mahomedan -friends, for the slight which he saw they supposed he had put -upon the first caliphs, interrupted me by saying—</p> - -<p>"Well, God knows! however we may question the humanity, -if not the policy, of extirpating whole races of men, because -they did not believe exactly as we do, assuredly the -founders of our holy religion have merit in putting an end to -Feroohers, and all such trumpery as you have been talking -about. There is enough of wicked flesh and blood in this -world to give an honest man trouble and alarm, without his being -scared in a wood, or frightened in his sleep by ghosts, spirits, -and demons. The Glorious Volume,<a name="FNanchor_65_65" id="FNanchor_65_65"></a><a href="#Footnote_65_65" class="fnanchor">[65]</a> thank heaven, has put -an end to all these gentry. But, after all, I really wish (looking -round at the ruins) that while it conferred this benefit upon -us, and gave us more space in the world, by the removal of -some incorrigible infidels, it had spared some of their best works, -if it were only as specimens of their folly and pride."</p> - -<p>As he was concluding this sentence, Hajee Hoosein came from -the Elchee with pipes and coffee for our refreshment. "You -were speaking of good works," said the Hajee. "I was speaking -of works," said the Khan. "It is all the same," replied the -Hajee, determined not to lose an opportunity of showing his -reading: "works are everything in this world, as Sādee says—'Alas, -for him that's gone, and done no work! The drum of -departure has beat, and his burden is not made up.'"<a name="FNanchor_66_66" id="FNanchor_66_66"></a><a href="#Footnote_66_66" class="fnanchor">[66]</a></p> - -<p>The admiration given to the expression and sentiment of the -moralist of Persia did not prevent a laugh at the manner in -which it was applied. The Hajee, however, was not displeased -with our mirth; he was too full of Sādee's apophthegms and -stanzas, and too eager to mix in conversation, to be particular -as to the time or place in which he gave utterance to his recollections; -and their want of application often rendered them -more entertaining.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_113" id="Page_113">[113]</a></span></p> - -<p>We returned to our tents with a resolution of completing our -knowledge of the wonders of this place, by a visit to the famous -rocks in the vicinity of Persepolis, which are called "The -Sculptures of Roostem."<a name="FNanchor_67_67" id="FNanchor_67_67"></a><a href="#Footnote_67_67" class="fnanchor">[67]</a></p> - -<p>Though there can be little doubt, from the similarity of these -figures to those on the Sassanian coins, that they have been made -to perpetuate the glory of the first sovereigns of that family; -yet, when I on the ensuing day mentioned this conjecture to my -Persian friends, I found I was regarded as an envious Frank, -who wanted to detract from their hero Roostem, with whose -fame all that is valiant, powerful, or wonderful in this country -is associated: and whose name has been given to this, as it has -been to all other sculptures representing any warlike deeds, of -which the precise history is unknown.</p> - -<p>In order to make amends for the errors of my knowledge, I -commenced a panegyric on their favourite warrior. "We have," -I said, "an account from the Greeks of a celebrated hero of -theirs called Hercules, whom they have deified, and whom many -of our learned confound with Roostem; but this Hercules was, -in my opinion, hardly fit to carry the slippers of your hero."</p> - -<p>"The Greeks talk of the club of Hercules, but what was his -club to the bull-headed mace with which Roostem destroyed -whole armies? Hercules, when an infant, crushed a couple of -serpents; but Roostem, when a child, brained a furious elephant: -Hercules shot his enemy, Ephialtes, in one eye; but Roostem -did twice as much, for with a forked arrow he sealed in eternal -darkness both eyes of the prince Esfendiār: Hercules wore a -lion's hide; Roostem had, according to Firdousee, a vest made -of the skins of several lions. Both heroes had supernatural aid, -but Roostem seldom required it; for he was endowed with the -strength of one hundred and twenty elephants;<a name="FNanchor_68_68" id="FNanchor_68_68"></a><a href="#Footnote_68_68" class="fnanchor">[68]</a> and out of fifty -thousand horses one only, the celebrated Reksh, was found -capable of bearing his weight.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_114" id="Page_114">[114]</a></span></p> - -<p>"Hercules," I continued, "we are told by the Greeks (who, -however, are great romancers), accomplished twelve labours; -but what are these compared to the Heft Kh'ān, or Seven Stages -of Roostem? Besides, it is doubted whether Hercules could -ride—he certainly had no horse of any fame; whereas Reksh -excelled all horses as much as his rider did all men."</p> - -<p>This moderate and just tribute to the hero of Persia quite -restored me to the good graces of my friends, who concurred -with me in requesting our old minstrel, who had charge of the -horses of some of our party, to recount to us the story of the -Heft Kh'ān, or Seven Stages of Roostem. He could not, he -said, recite these great events as written in the page of the immortal -Firdousee; but if we would be satisfied, he could give us -the tale in prose, as he had heard it read from the Shemsheer-Khānee.<a name="FNanchor_69_69" id="FNanchor_69_69"></a><a href="#Footnote_69_69" class="fnanchor">[69]</a> -Being assured that what he recollected of the story -would be quite enough, and his audience having seated themselves -beneath the sculptured rocks, he began as follows:</p> - -<p>"Persia was at peace, and prosperous; but its king, Ky-Kāoos, -could never remain at rest. A favourite singer gave him -one day an animated account of the beauties of the neighbouring -kingdom of Mazenderan;<a name="FNanchor_70_70" id="FNanchor_70_70"></a><a href="#Footnote_70_70" class="fnanchor">[70]</a> its ever blooming roses, its melodious -nightingales, its verdant plains, its mountains shaded -with lofty trees, and adorned to their summits with flowers which -perfumed the air, its clear murmuring rivulets, and, above all, -its lovely damsels and valiant warriors.</p> - -<p>"All these were described to the sovereign in such glowing -colours, that he quite lost his reason, and declared he should -never be happy till his power extended over a country so favoured -by nature. It was in vain that his wisest ministers and -most attached nobles dissuaded him from so hazardous an enterprise -as that of invading a region, which had, besides other defenders, -a number of Deevs, or demons, who, acting under their -renowned chief Deev-e-Seffeed, or the White Demon, had hitherto -defeated all enemies."</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_115" id="Page_115">[115]</a></span></p> - -<p>"Is the Deev-e-Seffeed," said I, stopping the narrator, and -turning to Aga Meer, "believed by modern Persians to have -been a supernatural being, as his name implies? or is this deemed -a poetical fiction of Firdousee to describe a formidable warrior, -perhaps a more northern prince, and therefore of a fairer complexion?" -"Why," said the Meer, "it is with us almost a crime -to refuse belief to a single line Firdousee has written; but though -there is no doubt he has given the account of these Deevs as he -found it, in the public records from which he composed his great -historical poem; we find in some of our best dictionaries, such -as the Jehāngeeree, and Boorhān-e-Kātih, the word Deev rendered -'a valiant warrior,' which shows that the learned authors -of these works entertained the same notion as you do."</p> - -<p>"If I had written a dictionary," said Mahomed Hoosein -Khan, "I should have solved the difficulty by explaining, that -Deev was a man who fought like a devil."</p> - -<p>This little sally finished our grave disquisition; and Joozee -Beg, who seemed not a little impatient at the interruption, resumed -his narration.</p> - -<p>"Ky-Kāoos," as I said before, "would not listen to his nobles, -who in despair sent for old Zāl, the father of Roostem, and prince -of Seestan. Zāl came and used all his efforts, but in vain; the -monarch was involved in clouds of pride, and closed a discussion -he had with Zāl, by exclaiming, 'The Creator of the world is -my friend; the chief of the Deevs is my prey.'<a name="FNanchor_71_71" id="FNanchor_71_71"></a><a href="#Footnote_71_71" class="fnanchor">[71]</a> This impious -boasting satisfied Zāl he could do no good; and he even refused -to become regent of Persia in the absence of Ky-Kāoos, but promised -to aid with his counsel.</p> - -<p>"The king departed to anticipated conquest; but the prince -of Mazenderan summoned his forces, and above all the Deev-e-Seffeed -and his band. They came at his call: a great battle<a name="FNanchor_72_72" id="FNanchor_72_72"></a><a href="#Footnote_72_72" class="fnanchor">[72]</a> -ensued, in which the Persians were completely defeated. Ky-Kāoos -was made prisoner and confined in a strong fortress under -the guard of a hundred Deevs, commanded by Arjeng, who was -instructed to ask the Persian monarch every morning how he -liked the roses, nightingales, flowers, trees, verdant meadows, -shady mountains, clear streams, beautiful damsels, and valiant -warriors of Mazenderan?</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_116" id="Page_116">[116]</a></span></p> - -<p>"The news of this disaster soon spread over Persia, and notwithstanding -the disgust of old Zāl at the headstrong folly of his -monarch, he was deeply afflicted at the tale of his misfortune and -disgrace. He sent for Roostem, to whom he said, 'Go, my son, -and with thy single arm, and thy good horse, Reksh, release our -sovereign.' Roostem instantly obeyed. There were two roads, -but he chose the nearest, though it was reported to be by far the -most difficult and dangerous. Now," said Joozee Beg, "it would -occupy the whole day if I was to relate at length the adventures -of the heft khān: a short account of the obstacles which the hero -overcame at each will suffice.</p> - -<p>"Fatigued with his first day's journey, Roostem lay down to -sleep, having turned Reksh loose to graze in a neighbouring -meadow, where he was attacked by a furious lion; but this wonderful -horse, after a short contest, struck his antagonist to the -ground with a blow from his fore-hoof, and completed the victory -by seizing the throat of the royal animal with his teeth. -When Roostem awoke, he was surprised and enraged. He desired -Reksh never again to attempt, unaided, such an encounter. -'Hadst thou been slain,' asked he of the intelligent brute, 'how -should I have accomplished my enterprise?'</p> - -<p>"At the second stage Roostem had nearly died of thirst, but his -prayers to the Almighty were heard: a fawn appeared, as if to be his -guide, and following it, he was conducted to a clear fountain, where, -after regaling on the flesh of a wild ass,<a name="FNanchor_73_73" id="FNanchor_73_73"></a><a href="#Footnote_73_73" class="fnanchor">[73]</a> which he had killed -with his bow, he lay down to sleep. In the middle of the night -a monstrous serpent, seventy yards in length, came out of its -hiding-place, and made at the hero, who was awaked by the -neighing of Reksh; but the serpent had crept back to his hiding-place, -and Roostem seeing no danger, abused his faithful horse -for disturbing his repose. Another attempt of the serpent was -defeated in the same way; but as the monster had again concealed -himself, Roostem lost all patience with Reksh, whom he -threatened to put to death if he again awaked him by any such -unseasonable noises. The faithful steed, fearing his master's -rage, but strong in his attachment, instead of neighing when the -serpent again made his appearance, sprung upon it, and commenced -a furious contest! Roostem, hearing the noise, started -up and joined in the combat. The serpent darted at him, but -he avoided it; and, while his noble horse seized their enemy by -the back, the hero cut off its head with his sword.</p> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_117" id="Page_117">[117]</a></span></p> -<p>"When the serpent was slain, Roostem contemplated its -enormous size with amazement, and, with that piety which always -distinguished him, returned thanks to the Almighty for his -miraculous escape.</p> - -<p>"Next day, as Roostem sat by a fountain, he saw a beautiful -damsel regaling herself with wine. He approached her, accepted -her invitation to partake of the beverage, and clasped her in his -arms as if she had been an angel. It happened, in the course of -their conversation, that the Persian hero mentioned the name of -the great God he adored. At the sound of that sacred word the -fair features and shape of the female changed, and she became -black, ugly, and deformed. The astonished Roostem seized her, -and, after binding her hands, bid her declare who she was. 'I -am a sorceress,' was the reply, 'and have been employed by the -evil-spirit Aharman for thy destruction: but save my life, and I -am powerful to do thee service.' 'I make no compact with the -devil or his agents,' said the hero, and cut her in twain. He -again poured forth his soul in thanksgiving to God for his -deliverance.</p> - -<p>"On his fourth stage Roostem lost his way. While wandering -about he came to a clear rivulet, on the banks of which he lay -down to take some repose, having first turned Reksh loose into a -field of grain. A gardener who had charge of it came and -awoke the hero, telling him, in an insolent tone, that he would -soon suffer for his temerity, as the field in which his horse was -feeding belonged to a pehloovān, or warrior, called Oulād. -Roostem, always irascible, but particularly so when disturbed in -his slumbers, jumped up, tore off the gardener's ears, and gave -him a blow with his fist that broke his nose and teeth. 'Take -these marks of my temper to your master,' he said, 'and tell him -to come here, and he shall have a similar welcome.'</p> - -<p>"Oulād, when informed of what had passed, was excited to -fury, and prepared to assail the Persian hero, who, expecting<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_118" id="Page_118">[118]</a></span> -him, had put on his armour, and mounted Reksh. His appearance -so dismayed Oulād, that he dared not venture on the combat -till he had summoned his adherents. They all fell upon Roostem -at once; but the base-born caitiffs were scattered like chaff before -the wind: many were slain, others fled, among whom was their -chief. Him Roostem came up with at the fifth stage, and having -thrown his noose<a name="FNanchor_74_74" id="FNanchor_74_74"></a><a href="#Footnote_74_74" class="fnanchor">[74]</a> over him, took him prisoner. Oulād, in order -to save his life, not only gave him full information of the place -where his sovereign was confined, and of the strength of the -Deev-e-Seffeed, but offered to give the hero every aid in the -accomplishment of his perilous enterprise. This offer was accepted, -and he proved a most useful auxiliary.</p> - -<p>"On the sixth day they saw in the distance the city of Mazenderan, -near which the Deev-e-Seffeed resided. Two chieftains, -with numerous attendants, met them; and one had the audacity -to ride up to Roostem, and seize him by the belt. That chief's -fury at this insolence was unbounded; he disdained, however, to -use his arms against such an enemy, but seizing the miscreant's -head, wrenched it from the body, and hurled it at his companions, -who fled in terror and dismay at this terrible proof of the -hero's prowess.</p> - -<p>"Roostem proceeded, after this action, with his guide to the -castle where the king was confined. The Deevs who guarded it -were asleep, and Ky-Kāoos was found in a solitary cell, chained -to the ground. He recognised Roostem, and bursting into tears, -pressed his deliverer to his bosom. Roostem immediately began -to knock off his chains: the noise occasioned by this awoke the -Deevs, whose leader, Beedār-Reng, advanced to seize Roostem; -but the appearance and threats of the latter so overawed him, -that he consented to purchase his own safety by the instant release -of the Persian king and all his followers.</p> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_119" id="Page_119">[119]</a></span></p> -<p>"After this achievement Roostem proceeded to the last and -greatest of his labours, the attack of the Deev-e-Seffeed. Oulād -told him, that the Deevs watched and feasted during the night, -but slept during the heat of the day, hating (according to our -narrator) the sun-beams. Roostem, as he advanced, saw an -immense army drawn out: he thought it better, before he -attacked them, to refresh himself by some repose. Having laid -himself down, he soon fell into a sound sleep, and at daylight -he awoke quite refreshed. As soon as the sun became warm, he -rushed into the camp. The heavy blows of his mace soon awoke -the surprised and slumbering guards of the Deev-e-Seffeed: they -collected in myriads, hoping to impede his progress; but all in -vain. The rout became general, and none escaped but those -who fled from the field of battle.</p> - -<p>"When this army was dispersed Roostem went in search of -the Deev-e-Seffeed, who, ignorant of the fate of his followers, -slumbered in the recess of a cavern, the entrance to which looked -so dark and gloomy, that the Persian hero hesitated whether he -should advance, but the noise of his approach had roused his -enemy, who came forth, clothed in complete armour. His appearance -was terrible; but Roostem, recommending his soul to -God, struck a desperate blow, which separated the leg of the -Deev from his body. This," said Joozee Beg, "would on -common occasions have terminated the contest, but far different -was the result on the present. Irritated to madness by the loss -of a limb, the monster seized his enemy in his arms, and endeavoured -to throw him down. The struggle was for some time -doubtful; but Roostem, collecting all his strength, by a wondrous -effort dashed his foe to the ground, and seizing him by one -of the horns, unsheathed his dagger, and stabbed him to the -heart.<a name="FNanchor_75_75" id="FNanchor_75_75"></a><a href="#Footnote_75_75" class="fnanchor">[75]</a> The Deev-e-Seffeed instantly expired; and Roostem, -on looking round to the entrance of the cavern, from whence -the moment before he had seen numberless Deevs issuing to the -aid of their lord, perceived they were all dead. Oulād, who -stood at a prudent distance from the scene of combat, now advanced -and informed the hero, that the lives of all the Deevs -depended upon that of their chief: when he was slain, the spell -which created and preserved this band was broken, and they all -expired.</p> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_120" id="Page_120">[120]</a></span></p> -<p>"Roostem," said our narrator, "found little difficulty, after -these seven days of toil, of danger, and of glory, in compelling -Mazenderan to submit to Persia. The king of the country was -slain, and Oulād was appointed its governor as a reward for his -fidelity.</p> - -<p>"It would weary you," said Joozee Beg, "were I to detail -all the misfortunes and distresses into which Ky-Kāoos subsequently -brought himself, by a pride and folly which were only -equalled by the wisdom and valour of Zāl and his son Roostem; -but one instance will suffice."</p> - -<p>Hajee Hoosein, who was in attendance, whispered to me, "It -is true, as Sādee says, 'A wise man does not always know when -to begin, but a fool never knows when to stop.'" I smiled, but -shook my head, and Joozee proceeded.</p> - -<p>"The event I am about to narrate," said he, "appears so -wonderful, that I should doubt its truth, if I did not know it -was written in the book I before told you of.</p> - -<p>"The success of his arms had raised Ky-Kāoos to the very -plenitude of power; not only men but Deevs obeyed his mandates. -The latter he employed in building palaces of crystal, -emeralds, and rubies, till at last they became quite tired of their -toil and abject condition. They sought, therefore, to destroy -him; and to effect this they consulted with the devil, who, to -forward the object, instructed a Deev, called Dizjkheem, to go -to Ky-Kāoos, and raise in his mind a passion for astronomy, and -to promise him a nearer view of the celestial bodies than had -ever yet been enjoyed by mortal eyes. The Deev fulfilled his -commission with such success, that the king became quite wild -with a desire to attain perfection in this sublime science. The -devil then instructed Dizjkheem to train some young vultures to -carry a throne upwards: this was done by placing spears round -the throne, on the points of which pieces of flesh were fixed in -view of the vultures who were fastened at the bottom. These -voracious birds, in their efforts to reach the meat, raised the -throne—"</p> - -<p>Joozee Beg here stopt, seeing me hardly able to suppress a -laugh. "You do not credit this story," he said. "You mistake," -I replied; "I am only struck with a remarkable coincidence. -In a sister kingdom of England, called Ireland, the -natives, according to a learned author, trick their horses into a<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_121" id="Page_121">[121]</a></span> -trot, by binding a wisp of hay to the end of a pole to which they -are harnessed, and, like your vultures, they constantly strive but -never attain their desire: their efforts to reach the food fulfil the -object of the ingenious author of this useful invention. He was -only a mortal, however, and could do no more than impel a -vehicle along the earth; the scheme of the devil is more sublime, -and we shall, I trust, hear of Ky-Kāoos reaching the seventh -heaven!" "He was not so fortunate," said Joozee Beg; "for -though he mounted rapidly for some time, the vultures became -exhausted, and finding their efforts to reach the meat hopeless, -discontinued them; this altered the direction and equilibrium of -the machine, and it tossed to and fro. Ky-Kāoos would have -been cast headlong and killed had he not clung to it. The vultures -not being able to disengage themselves, flew an immense -way, and at last landed the affrighted monarch in one of the -woods of China. Armies marched in every direction to discover -and release the sovereign, who, it was believed, had again fallen -into the hands of Deevs. He was at last found, and restored to -his capital. Roostem, we are told, upbraided his folly, saying</p> - -<div class="poem"> -'Have you managed your affairs so well on earth<br /> -That you must needs try your hand in those of heaven?'"<a name="FNanchor_76_76" id="FNanchor_76_76"></a><a href="#Footnote_76_76" class="fnanchor">[76]</a><br /> -</div> - -<p>Here the tale of wonder ceased, and a learned dissertation -commenced upon the genius and writings of Firdousee. It is -only justice to this great poet to observe, that the exuberance of -his fertile imagination, though it led him to amplify and adorn -his subject, never made him false to the task he had undertaken—that -of embodying in his great work all that remained of the -fabulous and historical traditions and writings of his country. -We cannot have a stronger proof of his adherence to this principle -than his passing over, almost in silence, the four centuries -which elapsed between the death of Alexander the Great and -the rise of Ardesheer or Artaxerxes, the founder of the Sassanian -dynasty. Adverting to the history of the Parthian kings, he -observes, "When both their root and branches ceased to flourish, -their deeds remained unrecorded by any experienced historian; -and nothing but their names have I either heard or -perused in the annals of the kings of Persia."</p> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_122" id="Page_122">[122]</a></span></p> -<p>I mentioned to my friends, as we were leaving the ruins, the -reflections which occurred to me on these points, anticipating -their approbation of the justice I did Firdousee, but I was disappointed. -Mahomed Hoosein, the Indian Moonshee, alone -seemed to concur. "It is very just," was pronounced by him -in an under tone. Meerzā Aga Meer said faintly, "Perhaps -you are right." Khan Sāhib had a half-suppressed smile at the -scrape he saw I was in, from my qualified praise of the popular -historian, as well as poet, of Persia; while almost all the natives -of that country, and there were many of the party, evidently -considered my criticism as bordering on want of faith in an -author whom they had almost worshipped from infancy. I overheard -Hajee Hoosein, to whom all the lesser persons in the -mission listen as to an oracle, whisper to one of his friends, -"Sādee says, 'A wise man does not bring a candle to light the -sun.'"</p> - -<p>I left Persepolis with regret that my visit was so short; but -the same ardent desire to examine this celebrated ruin was not -felt by all our party. One of my companions, now no more, a -gallant soldier and most devoted sportsman, was induced, by the -game he found on the neighbouring plain, to delay his inspection -of the palace of Jemsheed to the last day of our stay. On the -morning we went to bid farewell to these remains of ancient -grandeur, he promised to follow, but never came. When we -interrogated him as to the cause, he answered, with that simplicity -which belonged to his manly character, "I could not help -it: I was on the way, but found a fine duck in the stream that -runs from the mountain; it flew in a contrary direction, and I -had to follow it several miles before I got a shot. There it is," -said he, pointing to the bird which lay beside his gun, in a -corner of the tent.</p> - -<div class="footnotes"><h3>FOOTNOTES:</h3> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_49_49" id="Footnote_49_49"></a><a href="#FNanchor_49_49"><span class="label">[49]</span></a> The word Meerzā, when prefixed to a name, implies a secretary or civilian; -when it follows, it designates a prince.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_50_50" id="Footnote_50_50"></a><a href="#FNanchor_50_50"><span class="label">[50]</span></a> It has long been the custom in Persia for persons to recite animating -verses, from the Shāh-Nāmeh, at the commencement of, and during a battle. -The late king, Aga Mahomed, was particularly fond of this usage, and -bestowed marks of his favour on such minstrels.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_51_51" id="Footnote_51_51"></a><a href="#FNanchor_51_51"><span class="label">[51]</span></a> Iran is the ancient name of Persia, as Turan is of Tartary.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_52_52" id="Footnote_52_52"></a><a href="#FNanchor_52_52"><span class="label">[52]</span></a> The celebrated Ky-Khoosroo of the Persians is the Cyrus of the -Greeks.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_53_53" id="Footnote_53_53"></a><a href="#FNanchor_53_53"><span class="label">[53]</span></a> Roostem Keeneh-Kh'āh. The hero has this epithet as he was desirous -of avenging the death of Siyāvesh, murdered by Afrāsiāb.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_54_54" id="Footnote_54_54"></a><a href="#FNanchor_54_54"><span class="label">[54]</span></a> Tartary.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_55_55" id="Footnote_55_55"></a><a href="#FNanchor_55_55"><span class="label">[55]</span></a> "Their swords are a thousand, their bosoms are one."—Lochiel's -Warning.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_56_56" id="Footnote_56_56"></a><a href="#FNanchor_56_56"><span class="label">[56]</span></a> Kāoos was at this time King of Iran or Persia.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_57_57" id="Footnote_57_57"></a><a href="#FNanchor_57_57"><span class="label">[57]</span></a> The term in the original is "Azādigān," which means men free or independent, -that are not subject to the authority of others: heroes who went -more with the cause than the leader.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_58_58" id="Footnote_58_58"></a><a href="#FNanchor_58_58"><span class="label">[58]</span></a> This famous standard was a blacksmith's apron set in jewels, and was -long the imperial standard of Persia. Gāveh was a blacksmith; he overthrew -the cruel tyrant Zohāk, and placed Feridoon on the throne of Persia. -When collecting followers, he carried his apron as the standard of revolt -against Zohāk. This apron remained the standard of the empire till taken by -Saad-ben-wakās, who commanded the Mahomedan army that conquered -Persia.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_59_59" id="Footnote_59_59"></a><a href="#FNanchor_59_59"><span class="label">[59]</span></a> The brother of Peerān-Weeseh, the favourite vizier and counsellor of -Afrāsiāb.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_60_60" id="Footnote_60_60"></a><a href="#FNanchor_60_60"><span class="label">[60]</span></a> The word means pale or yellow, and has an allusion to fear, of which -that colour is the emblem in Persia.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_61_61" id="Footnote_61_61"></a><a href="#FNanchor_61_61"><span class="label">[61]</span></a> The word "meel" in Persian, is nearly our mile.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_62_62" id="Footnote_62_62"></a><a href="#FNanchor_62_62"><span class="label">[62]</span></a> This last stanza is a reflection of the poet, referring to the injustice of -the cause of the Tartars.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_63_63" id="Footnote_63_63"></a><a href="#FNanchor_63_63"><span class="label">[63]</span></a> Forty, both in India and Persia, is used to express an indefinite number -or quantity.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_64_64" id="Footnote_64_64"></a><a href="#FNanchor_64_64"><span class="label">[64]</span></a> Men-em gooft bā-ferra-e-Eezidee Be-hem sheheryāree be-hem Moobidee.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_65_65" id="Footnote_65_65"></a><a href="#FNanchor_65_65"><span class="label">[65]</span></a> Mes'hef-e-Mejeed, a pious allusion to the Koran.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_66_66" id="Footnote_66_66"></a><a href="#FNanchor_66_66"><span class="label">[66]</span></a></p> - -<div class="poem"> -"Heif', ber ān kih reft oo kār ne-sākht<br /> -Koos-e-rihlet zed oo bār ne-sākht!"<br /> -</div> -</div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_67_67" id="Footnote_67_67"></a><a href="#FNanchor_67_67"><span class="label">[67]</span></a> Neksha-e-Roostem.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_68_68" id="Footnote_68_68"></a><a href="#FNanchor_68_68"><span class="label">[68]</span></a> This, in the present <i>vapouring</i> age, would be called a hundred and twenty -elephant-power; but I dare not take a liberty with my text when recording -facts.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_69_69" id="Footnote_69_69"></a><a href="#FNanchor_69_69"><span class="label">[69]</span></a> The Shemsheer-Khānee is a prose abridgment of the Shāh-Nāmeh, into -which are introduced some of the finest passages of Firdousee's poetry.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_70_70" id="Footnote_70_70"></a><a href="#FNanchor_70_70"><span class="label">[70]</span></a> The ancient Hyrcania.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_71_71" id="Footnote_71_71"></a><a href="#FNanchor_71_71"><span class="label">[71]</span></a></p> -<div class="poem"> -"Jehān-āfireenendeh yār-e-men est<br /> -Ser-e-nereh deevān shikār-e-men est."<br /> -</div> -</div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_72_72" id="Footnote_72_72"></a><a href="#FNanchor_72_72"><span class="label">[72]</span></a> It was in this battle that the armies were, according to Firdousee, enveloped -in sudden darkness, as had been foretold by a magician. The mention -of this fact proves it to be the same action during which, Herodotus tells us, -a total eclipse of the sun took place, as had been foretold by Thales the -Milesian.—Vide Hist of Persia, vol. i. p. 3.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_73_73" id="Footnote_73_73"></a><a href="#FNanchor_73_73"><span class="label">[73]</span></a> Goor.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_74_74" id="Footnote_74_74"></a><a href="#FNanchor_74_74"><span class="label">[74]</span></a> The kemend or noose of the ancient Persians appears to be the lasso of -the modern South Americans, and was employed to snare prisoners as well as -wild cattle. It is well known and often used in India by some tribes of robbers -and murderers of that country, who cast it over the head of the unwary -traveller with an expertness that would do credit to a native of the Pampas.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_75_75" id="Footnote_75_75"></a><a href="#FNanchor_75_75"><span class="label">[75]</span></a> A representation of this combat is given in Dibdin's Decameron, vol. iii, -p. 475.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_76_76" id="Footnote_76_76"></a><a href="#FNanchor_76_76"><span class="label">[76]</span></a></p> -<div class="poem"> -"Too kār-e-zemeen-rā nikoo sakktee<br /> -Kih ber kār-e-āsmān-neez perdākhtee."<br /> -</div> -</div> -</div> - - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_123" id="Page_123">[123]</a></span></p> - -<h2>CHAPTER XIII.</h2> - -<blockquote> - -<p>Travellers and Antiquaries—Wild Ass—Hawking—Māder-e-Sūlimān—Akleed—Mirrors—Mehdee -Khan—Isfahan—Persian Citizens and Peasantry—Shāh -Abbas the Great—Hāroon-oor-Rasheed—Nethenz.</p></blockquote> - - -<p>The love of travel, visiting the remains of former grandeur, and -of tracing the history of ancient nations, which is so common in -Europe, causes wonder in the Asiatics, amongst whom there is -little or no spirit of curiosity or speculation. Men who live in -ill-governed and unquiet communities can spare no time for such -objects from the active occupations incident to their place -in society. In better regulated and more settled governments, -the state, by divesting men of all immediate care respecting life -and property, almost compels those of its subjects whose minds -are active, and whose time is at their own disposal, to provide -for themselves such a portion of vicissitude and trouble as shall -overcome that apathy and inertness into which they might otherwise -fall. From these motives they court toil and care, and -sometimes danger, to make them relish the feast of existence.</p> - -<p>Some gentlemen had accompanied the mission whose chief -object was to see Persepolis and other remains of ancient -splendour. These motives were unintelligible to the Persians. -The day we left the ruins, Aga Meer, as we were riding -together, expressed his surprise at men devoting their time to -such pursuits. "What can be the use," said he, "of travelling -so far and running so many risks to look at ruined houses and -palaces, when they might stay so comfortably at home?" -I replied, with some feeling of contempt for my friend's love -of quiet, "If the state of a man's circumstances, or that of his -country, does not find him work, he must find it for himself, or -go to sleep and be good for nothing. Antiquaries," I continued, -"to whose praiseworthy researches you allude, by -directing, through their labours and talents, our attention to the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_124" id="Page_124">[124]</a></span> -great names and magnificent monuments of former days, aid in -improving the sentiments and taste of a nation. Besides, though -no antiquary myself, I must ever admire a study which carries -man beyond self. I love those elevating thoughts that lead me -to dwell with delight on the past, and to look forward with -happy anticipations to the future. We are told by some that -such feelings are mere allusions, and the cold practical philosopher -may, on the ground of their inutility, desire to remove -them from men's minds, to make way for his own machinery; -but he could as soon argue me out of my existence as take from -me the internal proof which such feelings convey, both as to my -origin and destination."</p> - -<p>"There goes a Goor-kher" (wild ass), said Mahomed Beg, -the Jelloodār,<a name="FNanchor_77_77" id="FNanchor_77_77"></a><a href="#Footnote_77_77" class="fnanchor">[77]</a> who was riding close behind; and away he -galloped. Away I galloped also, leaving unfinished one of the -finest speeches about the past and the future that was ever -commenced.</p> - -<p>We pursued the goor-kher several miles, when we gave up -the chase as hopeless. On our return, however, we found plenty -of other game; five hares were killed by our dogs and three by -hawks. When at Shiraz, the Elchee had received a present of a -very fine Shāh-Bāz, or royal falcon. Before going out I had -been amused at seeing Nutee Beg, our head falconer, a man of -great experience in his department, put upon this bird a pair of -leathers, which he fitted to its thighs with as much care as if he -had been the tailor of a fashionable horseman. I inquired the -reason of so unusual a proceeding. "You will learn that," said -the consequential master of the hawks, "when you see our -sport:" and I was convinced, at the period he predicted, of the -old fellow's knowledge of his business.</p> - -<p>The first hare seized by the falcon was very strong, and the -ground rough. While the bird kept the claws of one foot -fastened in the back of its prey, the other was dragged along the -ground till it had an opportunity to lay hold of a tuft of grass, -by which it was enabled to stop the course of the hare, whose -efforts to escape, I do think, would have torn the hawk asunder, -if it had not been provided with the leathern defences which -have been mentioned.</p> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_125" id="Page_125">[125]</a></span></p> -<p>The next time the falcon was flown gave us a proof of that -extraordinary courage which its whole appearance, and particularly -its eye, denoted. It had stopt and quite disabled the -second hare by the first pounce, when two greyhounds, which -had been slipped by mistake, came up, and endeavoured to seize -it. They were, however, repulsed by the falcon, whose boldness -and celerity in attacking the dogs and securing its prey excited -our admiration and astonishment.</p> - -<p>We had some excellent sport with smaller hawks and partridges. -I was particularly pleased with one bird which kept -hovering over our heads till the game was sprung, and then descending -like a shot, struck its prey to the ground.</p> - -<p>We made three marches from Persepolis before we came to -any remarkable place; we then reached some ruins called -Māder-e-Sūlimān, or the mother of Solomon. These have been -almost as much dwelt upon by travellers as those of Persepolis, -and conjectures are equally various. Many insist that this is -the tomb of Bathsheba, the wife of Uriah, the wife of David, -and mother of Solomon. To this the only objection is, the -belief or fact that neither Solomon nor his mother were ever -within a thousand miles of this spot while living, and therefore -it was unlikely to be chosen as the burial-place of the latter -when dead. Another account states it to be the tomb of Sūlimān, -the tenth caliph of the race of Ali; but against this conclusion -there is decisive evidence in the very ancient style of the -architecture and the inscriptions, which are in the arrow-headed -character. Some antiquaries, puzzled by these objections, have -gone back to remote ages, and determined it to be Pasargadę -the resting-place of Cyrus. I could only stay a few hours at -this tomb, otherwise this very important question might have -been decided.</p> - -<p>The next place on our route meriting notice is the village of -Akleed, where the first mission halted for some days. It is -situated in a beautiful valley, surrounded by hills and watered by -clear rivulets. The gardens and groves in this town and its -vicinity give it an inviting appearance to a traveller in Persia, -which, with the exception of Mazenderan,<a name="FNanchor_78_78" id="FNanchor_78_78"></a><a href="#Footnote_78_78" class="fnanchor">[78]</a> and other provinces -on the Caspian, may generally be described as an arid country, -without one great river, and with few perennial streams.<a name="FNanchor_79_79" id="FNanchor_79_79"></a><a href="#Footnote_79_79" class="fnanchor">[79]</a></p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_126" id="Page_126">[126]</a></span></p> - -<p>If the report of the inhabitants of Akleed is to be believed, -disease is almost unknown. A man upwards of eighty, who was -praising the place to me, said, "We die of old age, but seldom -from other causes. Then look round and see what a charming -place it is. I have heard a Moollāh assert," he added, "that -our town is called Akleed or Kaleed (the key), and, on account -of its beauty and salubrity, is considered as a key to paradise."</p> - -<p>"But you suffer from oppression like others?" "Why," said -he, "we are not exempt from troubles, but these come only now -and then, whilst we always enjoy our pleasant habitations. We -were in terrible alarm," he continued, "when we first heard of -your approach; we were told that the Elchee was carrying a -number of pier-glasses of immense<a name="FNanchor_80_80" id="FNanchor_80_80"></a><a href="#Footnote_80_80" class="fnanchor">[80]</a> dimensions, as a present to the -king; and that the inhabitants of the country, between Abusheher -and Shiraz, were not only seized and compelled to carry these -mirrors, but that all the principal men in the villages through -which they had passed were to be sent to Teheran and punished, -because some of them had been broken.</p> - -<p>"This you may suppose occasioned no small fright, particularly -as we knew the Elchee's Mehmandar would take -advantage of the pretext of carrying these presents to commit -every species of extortion. You may therefore consider our joy -to hear that the Elchee, to save the inhabitants from such -sufferings, had resolved to have the mirrors carried by mules. -We were, however, not quite relieved from our fears till the -whole passed through this place some days ago. Every mirror -in its case was like a Tekht-e-Revān (or travelling litter), with -shafts before and behind for the mules, by which it was -carried. Then, besides twenty or thirty Ferrāshes to take care -of these precious glasses, there was a party of horse to protect -them; and the Elchee's head carpenter, Randall Beg,<a name="FNanchor_81_81" id="FNanchor_81_81"></a><a href="#Footnote_81_81" class="fnanchor">[81]</a> dressed -like one of us, and with a fine beard, rode at the head of the -cavalcade."</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_127" id="Page_127">[127]</a></span></p> - -<p>The story of the old chronicler of Akleed was perfectly correct; -and what was more uncommon in a Persian narration, no -way exaggerated. The Elchee, though he incurred considerable -expense in providing for the carriage of these unwieldy but valuable -articles, acquired more popularity, by the relief he gave to -the poorer inhabitants on his route by this act, and by insisting -on paying for the Soorāt, or provisions furnished to the mission, -than by any others during his residence in Persia.</p> - -<p>We passed several large camps of Eelyāts in our march between -Persepolis and Isfahan. I had formerly seen enough of -this race to satisfy me, that even the lowest of them were not -only in a condition which freed them from want, but that they -enjoyed a consideration in the community, or rather family, to -which they belonged, that could not but contribute to their happiness. -Their union and their bold character gives to this class -of the population of Persia great security; and even when the -tribe happens from political motives to be divided, which is often -the case, the spirit of individuals remains unbroken; and if they -are of a race which has reputation for courage and attachment, it -is not unfrequent to see them in the service of those by whom -they have been subdued; nor do they in such case conceal the -hostile feelings they still cherish against their conquerors, who -are usually indifferent to the sentiments they entertain or express, -while in their service, trusting for their fidelity to certain ties -and principles, which, as connected with personal honour, are -seldom violated by men of this description.</p> - -<p>These reflections forcibly recurred to my mind, from a conversation -I had, the day we left Akleed, with an old soldier of -the tribe of Māaffee, who was in the service of our Mehmandar.</p> - -<p>"I have seen," said he to me, "nearly the whole of the contest -between the families of Zend and Kajir. I belong to a -tribe firmly attached to the former. I fought for them. Our -princes were heroes in action, but they wanted judgment; besides -fortune deserted them, and favoured these cruel Kajirs." I<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_128" id="Page_128">[128]</a></span> -looked round; and observing my surprise, he instantly exclaimed, -"What do I care who knows my sentiments? Was ever man -more cruel than Aga Mahomed Khan? did not his wanton atrocities -exceed all belief? I will tell you one," he added, "that -I myself witnessed.</p> - -<p>"After the last and bravest of our princes, Lootf Ali Khan, -was betrayed and barbarously put to death, his Meerzā, a respectable -Syed of the family of the Prophet, was brought before -Aga Mahomed. 'Why did you dare,' said the enraged monarch, -'to write me fermāns?'<a name="FNanchor_82_82" id="FNanchor_82_82"></a><a href="#Footnote_82_82" class="fnanchor">[82]</a> 'I did so,' said the Meerzā, 'because -the fear of Lootf Ali Khan, who was near me, was at the moment -greater than of you, who were distant; but I trust to your -clemency for pardon.' 'Cut off his hands and put out his eyes!' -was the savage mandate, which was immediately obeyed.</p> - -<p>"Next morning this Meerzā's son was brought a prisoner to -camp. He was sent for by the king, who addressing him, said, -'Go to your father; tell him the Prophet has reproached me -for my injustice to him; I will do what I can to make amends: -what does he want?' 'To go and pass the remainder of his life -at the tomb of the holy Ali at Kerbela,' said the youth. 'Let -him depart,' replied the king, 'as soon as his wounds will permit: -give him from me these three hundred tomans, and say -that horses, mules, and tents will be provided for his accommodation. -Inform him, I have repented of my inconsiderate violence, -and ask him to pray for me.'</p> - -<p>"Now," said my friend, the Māaffee, "many think Aga Mahomed -was sincere in his remorse; but I believe he was only -cunning. He saw that every one was shocked at his horrible -treatment of a holy Syed, and he was anxious to regain their -good opinion. Nobody knew so well as that wily fox how to -manage men. But after all," he concluded, "bad as he was in -other respects, he was the soldier's friend, and so far better than -his nephew and successor."</p> - -<p>"Assuredly," said I, "you cannot accuse the present king of -cruelty; he appears to me remarkable for his lenity." "What -is the use of his lenity, if he neither gives his soldiers money himself, -nor allows them to take it from others? These Kajirs," -he continued, in no under tone, and with fifty people within -hearing, "are a sad set, and we shall never have good times again -while they keep the throne."</p> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_129" id="Page_129">[129]</a></span></p> -<p>Next day I spoke privately to this old soldier, and told him I -was afraid he might do himself injury by the manner in which he -had so openly expressed himself. "Do not be alarmed," he said; -"there is now no prince of the Zend family in Persia to compete -for the crown. The Kajirs and their adherents, therefore, -take little heed of language that can do no harm; besides, the -king is, as you say, a merciful man, and he has the good sense to -know he cannot alter the feelings of tribes like ours. He knows, -also, that however we may talk, we shall prove true to those -we serve, provided we are treated with confidence and consideration."</p> - -<p>The first mission had halted at the village of Taaghoon, within -a short distance of Isfahan, where we met a chief called Meerzā -Mehdee Khan, who had served under Lord Clive in Bengal. He -spoke in raptures of that great man; from whom, as well as from -General Carnac and others, he produced testimonials highly honourable -to his character. He had retired, with the fortune he -made in India, to this, his native village. I was particularly -pleased with this old gentleman, and on our second mission, I -inquired for him, but regretted to find he had been dead two -years. His son had succeeded to his property and situation as -head of Taaghoon, and appeared, from his conduct, to have inherited -his father's sentiments of regard for the English.</p> - -<p>Nothing can exceed in beauty and fertility, the country in the -vicinity of Isfahan, and the first appearance of that city is very -imposing. All that is noble meets the eye: the groves, avenues, -and spreading orchards, with which it abounds, concealing the -ruins of this once famed capital. A nearer view, however, -dispels the illusion; but still much remains of wealth, if not of -splendour, and were I so disposed, I might write a volume on -its beautiful environs; its palaces, splendid even in decay, its -college, with massy gates of silver, its magnificent bridges, its -baths, its arched bazars, its fountains, its far-famed river Zindehrood, -and the gardens on its banks, shaded with lofty sycamores, -and filled with every flower and fruit of the temperate zone.</p> - -<p>When the patience of the reader was exhausted by a minute<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_130" id="Page_130">[130]</a></span> -description of all the beauties and bounties which art and nature -have lavished on Isfahan, there would still remain to be described -its two hundred thousand inhabitants, more than half of whom -poured forth in their gayest attire to the istikbāl, or meeting -with the Elchee, the day we entered this renowned city.</p> - -<p>A few days after our arrival the governor gave the Elchee an -entertainment, which began, as usual, with sweetmeats and fruit; -and after pipes, coffee, tumbling, wrestling, and fireworks, a -sumptuous dinner was served up. Another day we were invited -to breakfast with my old friend Hajee Ibrahim Kāledoonee, who -gave us milk prepared in seventy-two different ways, being, as -Hajee Hoosein whispered me, in accordance with the seventy-two -sects in the religion of Mahomed. Whether there was such a -design or not I cannot say, but the fare was admirable, and I was -delighted to find my friend, who is, besides being an extensive -farmer, a ketkhūdā, or magistrate, of the ward of Kāledoon in -Isfahan, the same plain-dressed, plain-spoken, humorous person -we had left him ten years before. He took us, as he had formerly -done, to the wonder of his quarter, the shaking minarets.<a name="FNanchor_83_83" id="FNanchor_83_83"></a><a href="#Footnote_83_83" class="fnanchor">[83]</a> When -a person mounts to the top of one of these, and moves his body, -it vibrates, and the vibration is imparted to the other, though at -a distance of about forty feet, the width of the mosque to which -they belong.</p> - -<p>While my companions were trying this experiment, and -wondering at the cause, I remained on the terrace conversing -with Hajee Ibrahim. I noticed a small village about a mile -distant which seemed deserted. "Is that oppression?" said I. -"No," said the Hajee, "worse." "Why," said I, "the Tūrkūmāns -cannot have carried their inroads so near the town." -"They could not have done the work so complete," said my -friend, smiling. "Who has done it?" I asked. "A doctor," -replied he; "a proper fellow, who acquired great reputation, -and he deserved it, from the heirs of his patients at least. That -village literally perished under his hands in five years. Now he -is gone I know not where, but good luck attend him, so he comes -not again to our neighbourhood."</p> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_131" id="Page_131">[131]</a></span></p> -<p>I went with some of our party to several of the principal -hemmāms or baths of Isfahan. That of Khoosroo Aga I think -one of the best I have seen. When the first mission came to -Persia, doubts were entertained whether we could be permitted -this luxury. Fortunately for us the point was deemed one, not -merely connected with comfort, but with that respect which it -was desirous we should receive from the natives of the country; -and viewing it in this light, the Elchee, by a well-timed liberality, -converted impure infidels into favoured guests, who, instead -of being excluded, were, at every town, solicited to honour with -their presence the public baths.</p> - -<p>The inhabitants of Isfahan are reputed quick and intelligent. -They, like those of other large cities in Persia, differ much, both -in appearance and character, from the peasantry who dwell in -the villages. The latter, though I saw none in actual poverty, -seemed from their appearance rarely to have any superabundance -of even the necessaries of life. Though neither so well lodged, -clothed, nor fed as the citizens of large towns, and perhaps occasionally -subjected to more oppression, I always found, when I -talked to them, that they preferred their actual condition; and -though often loud and bold in their complaints of their superiors, -they appear a cheerful and robust race.<a name="FNanchor_84_84" id="FNanchor_84_84"></a><a href="#Footnote_84_84" class="fnanchor">[84]</a></p> - -<p>The food of the Eelyāts is derived principally from their -flocks, and they eat, with their cheese and curds, hard black -bread made from barley and rye. The villagers in the cultivated -plains have less animal food, but more of wheaten bread, fowls, -eggs, vegetables, and fruits. Both these classes are equally uninstructed; -the wandering tribes despise learning, and the inhabitants -of hamlets and villages have seldom an opportunity of -acquiring it.</p> - -<p>In the larger towns, and particularly those in which there are -manufactories, the case is very different; the inhabitants are -generally well clothed, and their whole appearance indicates that -they live in comfort. There are in all such towns numerous -schools, and in the principal ones colleges. At Isfahan almost -every man above the very lowest order can read and write, and -artisans and shopkeepers are often as familiar as those of the -higher ranks with the works of their favourite poets. The love -of such learning seems, in some of the youth of this city, to degenerate -into a disease. These Tālib-ool-Ilm, or seekers of -science, as the students are called, may be seen in crowds round -the gates, or within the walls of its college, reciting stanzas, or -discussing obscure dogmas or doctrines in their works on philosophy -or religion, and they often become, from such habits, -unfitted for every other pursuit in life.</p> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_132" id="Page_132">[132]</a></span></p> -<p>The population of Isfahan, notwithstanding such exceptions, -may be described as an active industrious people. They are -considered the best manufacturers and the worst soldiers in -Persia. But whatever may be their department in the field of -battle, they are remarkable for the boldness of their language in -the field of argument, and have great confidence in their ready -wit and talent for repartee.</p> - -<p>Some years ago, this city was governed by a brother of the -celebrated Hajee Ibrahim, whose family at that time held several -of the first offices in the kingdom; and I heard that minister tell -the Elchee the following anecdote:</p> - -<p>A shopkeeper, he said, went to his brother to represent that -he could not pay an impost. "You must pay it, like others," -said the governor, or leave the city." "Where can I go?" -asked the man. "To Shiraz or Cashan." "Your nephew rules -the one city, and your brother the other." "Go to the king -and complain, if you like." "Your brother the Hajee is prime -minister." "Then go to hell," said the enraged governor. -"Hajee Merhoom, the pious pilgrim, your father, is dead—" -retorted the undaunted Isfahānee. "My friend," said the governor, -bursting into a laugh, "I will pay the impost myself, -since you declare my family keeps you from all redress, both in -this world and the next."</p> - -<p>The merchants of Persia form a distinct class. I had now -seen those of Abusheher, Shiraz, and Isfahan, and found their -general character nearly the same.</p> - -<p>So long as they have no concern with state affairs, and accept -of no employment from government, they enjoy considerable -security. The plunder of a merchant, without some pretext, -would shake all confidence, and be fatal to that commerce from -which a great proportion of the public revenue is derived; the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_133" id="Page_133">[133]</a></span> -most tyrannical monarchs therefore have seldom committed so -impolitic an act of injustice. But this class have suffered so -severely in the late revolutions of the country that they continue -to act with great caution. They are not only very circumspect -in their dealings, but, like wary diplomatists, every merchant has -a cipher, known only to himself and his correspondents. By this -means they receive and convey that intelligence which is essential -to give safety to their speculations. Some few make a display -of their wealth; but in general their habits are not merely -frugal, but penurious. This disposition often increases with age -to a degree that would hardly be credited if we had not similar -instances in our own country.</p> - -<p>The popular impression is so strong on this subject, that they -relate the following story as a fact, to exemplify it:</p> - -<p>A merchant who had lately died at Isfahan, and left a large -sum of money, was so great a niggard, that for many years he -denied himself and his son, a young boy, every support, except a -crust of coarse bread. He was, however, one day tempted by -the description a friend gave of the flavour of cheese to buy a -small piece; but before he got home he began to reproach himself -with extravagance, and instead of eating the cheese he put it -into a bottle, and contented himself, and obliged his child to do -the same, with rubbing the crust against the bottle, enjoying the -cheese in imagination.</p> - -<p>One day that he returned home later than usual, he found his -son eating his crust, and rubbing it against the door. "What -are you about, you fool?" was his exclamation. "It is dinnertime, -father; you have the key, so I could not open the door;—I -was rubbing my bread against it, because I could not get to -the bottle." "Cannot you go without cheese one day, you -luxurious little rascal? you'll never be rich!" added the angry -miser, as he kicked the poor boy for not being able to deny himself -the ideal gratification.</p> - -<p>Our stay at Isfahan was short. I regretted this the less, as I -had, on the former mission, full time to trace those remains of -the splendour of the Seffavean kings, which are still to be found -at this their favourite capital. The names of almost all these -monarchs are now forgotten, excepting that of Shāh Abbas the -Great, who, in Persia, is not only the builder of all bridges,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_134" id="Page_134">[134]</a></span> -cārāvānserāis, and palaces, but his name is associated with all -good sayings, liberal acts, and deeds of arms. I was really quite -tired with hearing of this most gallant, most sage, most witty, -and most munificent monarch, at his seat of glory; and when -sixty miles to the northward of that city, we were entering the -delightful little town of Nethenz, which lies in a narrow valley -between two high mountains, I said to myself, "Well, we are -now, thank God, clear of Abbas and his grand palaces; this -scene of repose abounds in beauties for which he had no taste."</p> - -<p>Hajee Hoosein, who was riding near me, said, as if he had read -my thoughts, "This is a charming place, and the inhabitants are -remarkable for their wit, as well as for their pears, peaches, and -pretty ladies. When Abbas the Great"—I pulled up my horse, -and looked at him with a countenance that indicated any thing -but anxiety for his story; but not observing, or not choosing to -observe, he continued:—"When Abbas the Great was hunting -in this valley, he met, one morning as the day dawned, an uncommonly -ugly man, at the sight of whom his horse started. -Being nearly dismounted, and deeming it a bad omen, he called -out in a rage to have his head struck off. The poor peasant -whom they had seized, and were on the point of executing, -prayed that he might be informed of his crime:—'Your crime,' -said the king, 'is your unlucky countenance, which is the first -object I saw this morning, and which had nearly caused me to -fall from my horse.' 'Alas!' said the man, 'by this reckoning, -what term must I apply to your majesty's countenance, which -was the first object my eyes met this morning, and which is to -cause my death?' The king smiled at the wit of the reply, ordered -the man to be released, and gave him a present instead of -taking off his head."</p> - -<p>"Well," said I, when the Hajee had finished, "I am glad I -have heard this story, for it proves your Abbas was, with all his -fine qualities, a capricious and cruel tyrant." "No doubt he -was," said my friend, "like other men in his condition, spoilt by -the exercise of despotic power. He had violent bursts of passion, -but these were not frequent; and then he used to be very sorry -for what he did when in one of his paroxysms; and what more -could be expected from a Shāhin-shāh, or king of kings? -There," said he, as we entered Nethenz,—"There is an instance<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_135" id="Page_135">[135]</a></span> -of the truth of what I say; you see that little dome on the summit -of the hill which overhangs the town. It is called Goom-bez-e-Bāz, -or the dome of the hawk. It happened one day that -this monarch, fatigued with hunting, had sat down on the top of -that hill with a favourite hawk on his hand; he called for some -water, and a cup was brought from a neighbouring spring; the -hawk dashed the cup from the king's hand as he was about to -drink; another was sent for, but the bird managed to spill it -likewise; a third and a fourth shared the same fate. The monarch, -in a rage, killed the hawk. Before he had time to take -another cup, one of his attendants noticed that the water was discoloured. -This gave rise to suspicions; and the spring was found -to have been poisoned with the venom of a snake or some plant. -Shāh Abbas, inconsolable at his rashness in destroying the bird -which had saved his life, built this dome to its memory, and is -said to have often visited it."</p> - -<p>After hearing this story, I was obliged, lest I should have -more anecdotes of this mighty monarch, to confess that, though -not a character exactly suited to my notions, there must be some -merit in a human being who, in spite of his ordering a man to be -slain because he had an ugly face that frightened a horse, and -killing a hawk for spilling a cup of water, had contrived to raise -his country to such a pitch of prosperity, that he was beloved, as -well as feared, when alive, and spoken of for centuries after his -decease as the author of all improvements.</p> - -<p>The caliph Hāroon-oor-Rasheed occupies the same place in -the stories of the Arabians which Shāh Abbas does among the -Persians; but the "Arabian Nights" have made the English -reader familiar with the celebrated Commander of the Faithful, -which no similar work has done for the sovereign of Persia. -The fame of the latter, even in his native country, has not excluded -Hāroon, whom I have always found in works on the -wisdom, moderation, and justice of monarchs, to occupy a very -prominent place in Persian literature.</p> - -<p>Aga Meer brought me one day a small tract, containing an -account of a visit of Hāroon to the tomb of Noosheerwān, which -was, he said, from the lessons it conveyed, given to the youth of -Persia to study. I perused it with pleasure; and shall give a -translation of a part of its contents, as a specimen both of the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_136" id="Page_136">[136]</a></span> -moral maxims of this country and the mode in which a knowledge -of them is imparted.</p> - -<p>"The caliph Hāroon-oor-Rasheed," says the author, "went to -visit the tomb of the celebrated Noosheerwān, the most famous -of all the monarchs who ever governed Persia. Before the tomb -was a curtain of gold cloth, which, when Hāroon touched it, fell -to pieces. The walls of the tomb were covered with gold and -jewels, whose splendour illumined its darkness. The body was -placed in a sitting posture on a throne enchased with jewels, and -had so much the appearance of life, that, on the first impulse, the -Commander of the Faithful bent to the ground, and saluted the -remains of the just Noosheerwān.</p> - -<p>"Though the face of the departed monarch was like that of a -living man, and the whole of the body in a state of preservation, -which showed the admirable skill of those who embalmed it; yet -when the caliph touched the garments they mouldered into dust. -Hāroon upon this took his own rich robes and threw them over -the corpse: he also hung up a new curtain richer than that he -had destroyed, and perfumed the whole tomb with camphor, and -other sweet scents.</p> - -<p>"It was remarked that no change was perceptible in the body -of Noosheerwān, except that the ears had become white. The -whole scene affected the caliph greatly; he burst into tears, and -repeated from the Koran—'What I have seen is a warning to -those who have eyes.' He observed some writing upon the -throne, which he ordered the Moobids,<a name="FNanchor_85_85" id="FNanchor_85_85"></a><a href="#Footnote_85_85" class="fnanchor">[85]</a> who were learned in the -Pehlevee language, to read and explain. They did so: it was -as follows:</p> - -<blockquote> - -<p>'This world remains not; the man who thinks least of it is the wisest.</p> - -<p>'Enjoy this world before thou becomest its prey.</p> - -<p>'Bestow the same favour on those below thee, as thou desirest to receive -from those above thee.</p> - -<p>'If thou shouldst conquer the whole world, death will at last conquer -thee.</p> - -<p>'Be careful that thou are not the dupe of thine own fortune.</p> - -<p>'Thou shalt be paid exactly for what thou hast done; no more, no less.'</p></blockquote> - -<p>"The caliph observed a dark ruby-ring on the finger of Noosheerwān, -on which was written,</p> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_137" id="Page_137">[137]</a></span></p> -<blockquote> - -<p>'Avoid cruelty, study good, and never be precipitate in action.</p> - -<p>'If thou shouldst live for a hundred years, never for one moment forget -death.</p> - -<p>'Value above all things the society of the wise.'</p></blockquote> - -<p>"Around the right arm of Noosheerwān was a clasp of gold, -on which was engraved,</p> - -<blockquote> - -<p>'On a certain year, on the 10th day of the month Erdebehisht,<a name="FNanchor_86_86" id="FNanchor_86_86"></a><a href="#Footnote_86_86" class="fnanchor">[86]</a> a caliph -of the race of Adean, professing the faith of Mahomed, accompanied by four -good men, and one bad, shall visit my tomb.'</p></blockquote> - -<p>"Below this sentence were the names of the forefathers of the -caliph. Another prophecy was added concerning Hāroon's pilgrimage -to Noosheerwān's tomb.</p> - -<blockquote> - -<p>'This prince will honour me, and do good unto me, though I have no -claim upon him; and he will clothe me in a new vest, and besprinkle my -tomb with sweet-scented essences, and then depart unto his home. But the -bad man who accompanies him shall act treacherously towards me. I pray -that God may send one of my race to repay the great favours of the caliph, -and to take vengeance on his unworthy companion. There is, under my -throne, an inscription, which the caliph must read and contemplate. Its -contents will remind him of me, and make him pardon my inability to give -him more.'</p></blockquote> - -<p>"The caliph, on hearing this, put his hand under the throne, -and found the inscription, which consisted of some lines, inscribed -on a ruby as large as the palm of the hand. The Moobids read -this also. It contained information where would be found concealed -a treasure of gold and arms, with some caskets of rich -jewels: under this was written,</p> - -<blockquote> - -<p>'These I give to the caliph in return for the good he has done me; let -him take them and be happy.'</p></blockquote> - -<p>"When Hāroon-oor-Rasheed was about to leave the tomb, -Hoosein-ben-Sāhil his vizier said to him, 'O lord of the faithful, -what is the use of all these precious gems which ornament the -abode of the dead, and are of no benefit to the living? Allow -me to take some of them.' The caliph replied with indignation, -'Such a wish is more worthy of a thief than of a great or wise -man.' Hoosein was ashamed of his speech, and said to the servant -who had been placed at the entrance of the tomb, 'Go -thou and worship the holy shrine within.' The man went into -the tomb; he was above a hundred years old, but he had never -seen such a blaze of wealth. He felt inclined to plunder some -of it, but was at first afraid: at last, summoning all his courage, -he took a ring from the finger of Noosheerwān, and came -away.</p> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_138" id="Page_138">[138]</a></span></p> -<p>"Hāroon saw this man come out, and observing him alarmed, -he at once conjectured what he had been doing. Addressing -those around him, he said, 'Do not you now see the extent of -the knowledge of Noosheerwān? He prophesied that there -should be one unworthy man with me; it is this fellow: what -have you taken?' said he, in an angry tone. 'Nothing,' said -the man. 'Search him,' said the caliph. It was done, and the -ring of Noosheerwān was found. This the caliph immediately -took, and entering the tomb, replaced it on the cold finger of -the deceased monarch. When he returned, a terrible sound, -like that of loud thunder, was heard.</p> - -<p>"Hāroon came down from the mountain on which the tomb -stood, and ordered the road to be made inaccessible to future -curiosity. He searched for, and found, in the place described, -the gold, the arms, and the jewels bequeathed to him by -Noosheerwān, and sent them to Bagdad.</p> - -<p>"Among the rich articles found was a golden crown, which -had five sides, and was richly ornamented with precious stones. -On every side a number of admirable lessons were written. The -most remarkable were as follows.</p> - - -<blockquote> - -<div class="center">First side.</div> - -<p>'Give my regards to those who know themselves.</p> - -<p>'Consider the end before you begin, and before you advance provide a -retreat.</p> - -<p>'Give not unnecessary pain to any man, but study the happiness of all.</p> - -<p>'Ground not your dignity upon your power to hurt others.'</p> - -<div class="center">Second side.</div> - -<p>'Take counsel before you commence any measure, and never trust its execution -to the inexperienced.</p> - -<p>'Sacrifice your property for your life, and your life for your religion.</p> - -<p>'Spend your time in establishing a good name; and if you desire fortune, -learn contentment.'</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_139" id="Page_139">[139]</a></span></p> - -<div class="center">Third side.</div> - -<p>'Grieve not for that which is broken, stolen, burnt, or lost.</p> - -<p>'Never give orders in another man's house; and accustom yourself to eat -your bread at your own table.</p> - -<p>'Make not yourself the captive of women.'</p> - - -<div class="center">Fourth side.</div> - -<p>'Take not a wife from a bad family, and seat not thyself with those who -have no shame.</p> - -<p>'Keep thyself at a distance from those who are incorrigible in bad habits, -and hold no intercourse with that man who is insensible to kindness.</p> - -<p>'Covet not the goods of others.</p> - -<p>'Be guarded with monarchs, for they are like fire, which blazeth but -destroyeth.</p> - -<p>'Be sensible to your own value; estimate justly the worth of others; and -war not with those who are far above thee in fortune.'</p> - -<div class="center">Fifth side.</div> - -<p>'Fear kings, women, and poets.</p> - -<p>'Be envious of no man, and habituate not thyself to search after the faults -of others.</p> - -<p>'Make it a habit to be happy, and avoid being out of temper, or thy life -will pass in misery.</p> - -<p>'Respect and protect the females of thy family.</p> - -<p>'Be not the slave of anger; and in thy contests always leave open the -door of conciliation.</p> - -<p>'Never let your expenses exceed your income.</p> - -<p>'Plant a young tree, or you cannot expect to cut down an old one.</p> - -<p>'Stretch your legs no farther than the size of your carpet.'</p></blockquote> - - -<p>"The caliph Hāroon-oor-Rasheed was more pleased with the -admirable maxims inscribed on this crown than with all the -treasures he had found. 'Write these precepts,' he exclaimed, -'in a book, that the faithful may eat of the fruit of wisdom.' -When he returned to Bagdad, he related to his favourite vizier, -Jaffier Bermekee, and his other chief officers, all that had -passed: and the shade of Noosheerwān was propitiated by the -disgrace of Hoosein-ben-Sāhil (who had recommended despoiling -his tomb), and the exemplary punishment of the servant who -had committed the sacrilegious act of taking the ring from the -finger of the departed monarch."</p> - -<p>Hāroon-oor-Rasheed, with all his fame for clemency, generosity,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_140" id="Page_140">[140]</a></span> -and justice, appears from the very pages written to raise -his fame, to have had, like Shāh Abbas, his unlucky moments, -when all his virtues were obscured by acts of violent and cruel -injustice. Witness his putting to death the celebrated vizier, -Jaffier Bermekee, and his vain efforts to rob the memory of that -virtuous and great minister of his just fame.</p> - -<p>Aga Meer related to me, after we had finished our translation, -the following story, which I must add, though I hate -dwelling long upon any of these eastern characters, however -wonderful.</p> - -<p>"Hāroon-oor-Rasheed," said the good Meerzā, "when he had -put to death the celebrated Jaffier Bermekee, not contented with -this cruelty, wished to deprive him of those encomiums which -the extraordinary virtues of that minister had merited; and he -published an order making it death for any of the preachers or -public speakers to mention the name of Jaffier. This did not -deter an old Arab from descanting with great eloquence on the -virtues of the deceased; he was warned of his danger, but -despised it; and on being taken and carried to the place of -execution, all he asked was to see the caliph for a few minutes. -This was granted. The monarch asked him how he came to -disregard his laws. 'Had I not praised Jaffier,' said the fearless -Arab, 'I should have been a monster of ingratitude, and -unworthy the protection of any laws.' 'Why?' said the caliph. -'I came,' replied the Arab, 'poor and friendless to Bagdad. I -lodged in a ruin in the skirts of the town, where Jaffier discovered -me. Pleased, as he afterwards told me, with my conversation, -he paid me frequent visits. One night I was seized -and hurried away I knew not whither. In the morning I found -myself in a magnificent Hemmām, and after bathing, was -dressed by men in fine robes, who called themselves my slaves. -I was then mounted on a horse with costly trappings, and conducted -to an elegant palace, where attendants, richly attired, -welcomed me as their lord. Recovered from my astonishment, -I asked what all this meant. 'The habitation of a Fakeer,'<a name="FNanchor_87_87" id="FNanchor_87_87"></a><a href="#Footnote_87_87" class="fnanchor">[87]</a> -said I, 'suits me better than this place; not a corner of one of -its saloons but is sufficient for my lodging; besides, I could not -remain happy, even in paradise, if absent from my dear wife -and children.' 'Your lordship's family,' said one of the servants, -'are in the inner apartments.' I was conveyed to them, and -found their adventures had been similar to mine. They were -surrounded by female slaves.</p> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_141" id="Page_141">[141]</a></span></p> -<p>"While we were expressing our mutual astonishment, Jaffier -was announced, and I found my old visitor in the ruin, and -Jaffier the vizier of the great caliph, one and the same person. -I endeavoured to make him change his resolution of raising me -to a rank for which I had no desire, and thought my character -unsuited: he was however inflexible. 'You conquered me in -an argument,' said he, 'on happiness being increased with the -increased power a virtuous man possesses of doing good. You -shall now have an opportunity of putting in practice all those -plans of beneficence to others which have hitherto only employed -your imagination.' 'I have ever since,' said the Arab, -'lived in affluence; my friendship with Jaffier only ended with -his life: to him I owe all I possess; and was it possible for -me to be deterred by death itself from doing justice to his -memory?'</p> - -<p>"Though the caliph's pride was hurt, he could not withhold -his esteem from a man of such courageous virtue. Instead of -ordering him to be executed, he endeavoured to gain his admiration -by more splendid generosity than Jaffier. 'Take that,' -said he, giving him his sceptre, which was virgin gold, studded -with rich jewels. 'I take it,' said the grateful and undaunted -Arab; 'but this, also, commander of the faithful, is from Bermekee.'"</p> - -<p>Before quitting Nethenz I accompanied the Elchee in a ride -through its streets and gardens, which are so intermingled as to -give it a singular and pleasing appearance: you can scarcely -tell whether you are in the town or the country. We saw -plenty of the pears and peaches, for which my friend told me it -was famous. As to its pretty ladies, they saw us, no doubt, -through the trellis-work of their dark veils, while we could only -dwell upon their beauties with the eyes of our imagination.</p> - -<p>I complained to my friend, Khan Sāhib, of the privation of -the innocent pleasure of gazing upon the features of a lovely<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_142" id="Page_142">[142]</a></span> -female; and then I added, "What a mortification must it be -for the lady to have her charms denied that tribute of admiration -which is their due!" "True," answered my little friend; "it -is very hard upon a few, but then think how much numbers owe -to that veil, which conceals age and ugliness, as well as youth -and beauty. I once," he observed, "fell violently in love with -one of these veiled ladies, whom I saw sometimes at a window, -and sometimes gliding like a phantom through the streets. She -continued, for a month, to occupy all my waking thoughts, and -the image of her beauties disturbed my rest. I first cast love-tokens -into her windows, in the shape of nosegays; then I persuaded -an old woman to pour out all the raptures of my soul at -the feet of the object of my devotion. To make a long story -short, I was at last promised an interview. I waited with impatience -for the moment of anticipated delight. When admitted -into the presence of my fair I became wild with joy; I praised -her shape, the sweetness of her melodious voice, the captivating -graces of her manner, and, above all, her beautiful face. She -long resisted my entreaties to remove her veil. This I deplored -in the words of Hāfiz, exclaiming,</p> - -<blockquote> - -<p>'O alas!<a name="FNanchor_88_88" id="FNanchor_88_88"></a><a href="#Footnote_88_88" class="fnanchor">[88]</a> O alas! and O alas! that such a moon should be concealed -behind a cloud.'</p></blockquote> - -<p>"What with prose, poetry, and flattery," added Khan Sāhib, -"I succeeded at last. Would to God I had not! but perhaps it -has done me good: for what I saw of my imaginary angel has -reconciled me for life to veils and clouds."</p> - -<p>As we were talking we arrived at a citadel which was the -residence of the old Hākim, or governor Hajee Abd-ool-Cāsim, -to whom the Elchee paid a visit. We were received in a room -at the top of one of the highest turrets, from whence we had a -commanding view of the surrounding scenery. Nothing could -be more singular or beautiful. The valley of Nethenz, which -is inclosed by mountains, is itself a succession of eminences and -small hills. The fruitful gardens, which occupied every spot -where there were no houses, extended eight miles. Seldom -above one, and never more than two of these gardens, were upon -the same level; they either appeared in a circle, converging -towards the common centre of an eminence that rose above the -others, or were seen sloping in flights along the hills that bordered -upon the mountains. Rows of lofty sycamores and spreading -walnuts marked the lines of the streets and the divisions of -the gardens; and the latter were fenced round with thick mulberry -hedges, whose leaves, the Hākim informed us, fed innumerable -silk-worms, the produce of which formed the finest of -the silk manufactured at the cities of Cashan and Isfahan.</p> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_143" id="Page_143">[143]</a></span></p> -<p>The sun was shining bright as we gazed upon this enchanting -scene, and its beauty was greatly increased by numerous clear -streams, which, pouring from the neighbouring hills, either -flowed or were conducted among the gardens and orchards, -where they appeared lost, till seen glistening through those parts -where the foliage was lighter or wholly removed.</p> - -<p>The Elchee was quite delighted with the prospect. After -remaining for some time abstracted in contemplating its beauties, -he turned round to the governor, and with assumed gravity proposed -to change stations with him. "I should," said the old -Hajee, with a faint smile, "make a bad Elchee; and the pleasure -you have enjoyed in looking at this town from that window is -the greatest you would ever know if you were its Hākim." -When making this last observation, he shook his head in a manner -too plainly indicating that the scene of abundance with -which he was surrounded, was to him the source of more trouble -than enjoyment.</p> - -<p>I mentioned my suspicions to my friend Hajee Hoosein, as he -came to me with an evening kelliān. "Ah!" said he, imitating -the exclamation of his countrymen on entering the charming -vale of Desht-e-Arjun, "Irān hemeen-est! Irān hemeen-est! -This is Persia! this is Persia! But God is just, as Sādee says: -he gives fertile fields, roses, and nightingales, with wicked men, -to one country, and deserts and screech-owls, with righteous -men, to another; and again he tells us, 'It is not the silk-worm -but he that wears the silk vest that is to be envied.'"</p> - -<p>I was quite satisfied with the meaning and moral of my friend's<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_144" id="Page_144">[144]</a></span> -quotations, though I confess I have looked in vain over the -pages of Sādee to discover them in his volumes. But the Hajee, -like many of his countrymen, has such a deference for that inimitable -author, that he ascribes all sentiments that appear just -to him, as the sole source of human wisdom.</p> - -<div class="footnotes"><h3>FOOTNOTES:</h3> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_77_77" id="Footnote_77_77"></a><a href="#FNanchor_77_77"><span class="label">[77]</span></a> Persian groom.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_78_78" id="Footnote_78_78"></a><a href="#FNanchor_78_78"><span class="label">[78]</span></a> The ancient Hyrcania.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_79_79" id="Footnote_79_79"></a><a href="#FNanchor_79_79"><span class="label">[79]</span></a> In Persia the term rood-khāneh, or the bed of a stream, is the common -word for a river—an idiom which has probably arisen from the fact stated.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_80_80" id="Footnote_80_80"></a><a href="#FNanchor_80_80"><span class="label">[80]</span></a> Some of these mirrors exceeded eight feet in length.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_81_81" id="Footnote_81_81"></a><a href="#FNanchor_81_81"><span class="label">[81]</span></a> Mr. Randall, who is here alluded to, was a very ingenious carpenter, -who had been in an English man-of-war employed in discoveries. He had -been in the habit of mixing with the natives of the places he visited and was -on this occasion of great use; for the Persian artizans, employed under his -directions, worked with more zeal and readiness from his dressing like them -and living amongst them.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_82_82" id="Footnote_82_82"></a><a href="#FNanchor_82_82"><span class="label">[82]</span></a> Fermān means a command, signifies here a letter or mandate addressed -by a superior to an inferior.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_83_83" id="Footnote_83_83"></a><a href="#FNanchor_83_83"><span class="label">[83]</span></a> The minarets of the Mahomedan mosques are, like the steeples of our -churches, of all sizes; those we visited were of ordinary dimensions.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_84_84" id="Footnote_84_84"></a><a href="#FNanchor_84_84"><span class="label">[84]</span></a> I have been informed by one who had personal means of making the -comparison, that he considered the general condition of the Persian peasantry -to be fully equal if not superior to that of the same class in Russia or Poland.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_85_85" id="Footnote_85_85"></a><a href="#FNanchor_85_85"><span class="label">[85]</span></a> Moobid is the Persian term for a priest of the fire-worshippers.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_86_86" id="Footnote_86_86"></a><a href="#FNanchor_86_86"><span class="label">[86]</span></a> The name of one of the months in the ancient Persian calendar.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_87_87" id="Footnote_87_87"></a><a href="#FNanchor_87_87"><span class="label">[87]</span></a> Religious mendicant.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_88_88" id="Footnote_88_88"></a><a href="#FNanchor_88_88"><span class="label">[88]</span></a> Ei dereeghā, ei dereeghā, oo ei dereegh! kih hem-choo māh pinhān -shoodzeer-e-meegh.</p></div></div> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_145" id="Page_145">[145]</a></span></p> - - -<h2>CHAPTER XIV.</h2> - -<blockquote> - -<p>Cashan—Scorpions—Cāshānee Youth—Village of Sinsin—Plundering Expeditions -of the Tūrkūmāns—Account of that Tribe—Wandering Tribes—Visit -to the Dwelling of Mihrāb Khan Afshār—Account of his Family -and Adherents—Anecdote of Kerreem Khan.</p></blockquote> - - -<p>Cashan, to which we went from Nethenz, is situated on the -verge of a desert, and no city can present a more uninviting aspect. -We were, however, accommodated in the Bāgh-e-Fin, an -excellent house and garden, through which there is a clear stream, -which, while it refreshes the latter, gives an ample supply of -water to the marble-baths belonging to the small but delightful -royal residence.</p> - -<p>"May you be stung by a scorpion of Cashan," is a common -malediction in Persia; and all are agreed that this city is famous -for producing the largest and most venomous species of this reptile. -We were however assured, that, partaking of that spirit of -hospitality which distinguishes the Persian nation, they never -sting a stranger.</p> - -<p>"This fact," said Agar Meer to me, "is asserted by Ameen -Rāzee, a respectable writer, and the author of a famous work -called the Heft Akleem, or 'Seven Climates.'" "The same -respectable writer," said Khan Sāhib, "compares the mud houses -and narrow streets of Cashan, to the angelic cheeks of the resplendent -Hoorees of Paradise, whose smiles are promised to the -faithful. I could almost wish," he added, "to be stung by one -of his scorpions, that my mind might be satisfied there was no -truth in his comparison; otherwise my dreams of futurity will -never be realised."</p> - -<p>Agar Meer, who disliked wit when it ridiculed religion, gravely -replied to this sally, "Ameen Rāzee's facts may be correct,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_146" id="Page_146">[146]</a></span> -though his metaphors are extravagant." "That may be true," -said my Hindustānnee friend, Mahomed Hoosein, "but, according -to the fable of the scorpion and tortoise, the former has no -power over his nature."</p> - -<p>"I have read," said the good Moonshee, "that a tortoise and -a scorpion travelled the same road for a considerable distance in -good fellowship. The latter, on the ground of this new friendship, -asked the former to carry him over a deep stream. The -tortoise complied; but what was his surprise to find his companion -endeavouring with all his might to sting him! When -he had placed him safe on the opposite shore, he turned to him -and said, 'Are not you the most wicked and ungrateful of reptiles? -But for me you must either have given up your journey, -or have been drowned in that stream, and what is my reward? -If it had not been for the armour which God has given me, I -should have been stung to death.' 'Blame me not,' said the -scorpion, in a supplicatory tone, 'it is not my fault; it is that of -my nature; it is a constitutional habit<a name="FNanchor_89_89" id="FNanchor_89_89"></a><a href="#Footnote_89_89" class="fnanchor">[89]</a> I have of stinging!'" -"Now," said Mahomed Hoosein, not wishing to offend his brother -of the pen, "this fable certainly applies to scorpions in general; -those of Cashan may be different: they may have that -regard for strangers which Aga Meer has stated them to have, -on the authority of Ameen Rāzee." "It may be so,"<a name="FNanchor_90_90" id="FNanchor_90_90"></a><a href="#Footnote_90_90" class="fnanchor">[90]</a> I remarked; -and this phrase of doubtful assent put an end (as in -Persia it is always meant to do) to all further discussion on the -subject.</p> - -<p>We left Cashan without any of our party being stung, which -is a negative proof in favour of Ameen Rāzee and other authors -who have eulogized its scorpions; but the point cannot yet be -considered as determined. It will no doubt therefore continue -to receive, as it has hitherto, the attention of all travellers who -possess learning, and are curious in their research after facts of -natural history.</p> - -<p>The inhabitants of Cashan, like those of Isfahan, are more -celebrated as silk weavers than warriors. When Nadir Shāh -returned from India he published a proclamation, permitting the -followers of his army to return to their homes. It is narrated -that thirty thousand of those who belonged to Cashan and Isfahan -applied to this monarch for a guard of a hundred musketeers -to escort them safe to their wives and children. "Cowards!" -exclaimed he, in a fury; "Would I were a robber again for the -sake of waylaying and plundering you all. Is not my success a miracle," -said he to those around him, "with such a set of dastards -in my camp!"</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_147" id="Page_147">[147]</a></span></p> - -<p>This story and many others were told us as we were sitting in -one of the cool rooms of the palace of Fin, commenting on the -qualities of the Cāshānees.</p> - -<p>My old friend Mahomed Shereef Khan Burgshattee told me he -had once a convincing proof that a Cāshānee might be a brave -man. "On returning," said he, "from the pursuit of a small -party of plundering Tūrkūmāns, I found that ten of my men had -surrounded a fine looking youth, who was on a dry spot in a morass, -where not more than two could approach him at a time. -He had only a sword and a spear, but refused to yield; inviting -his opponents to use their fire-arms, since they durst not fight -him on equal terms. Struck with his appearance and courage, I -solicited him to surrender, and assured him he should be well -treated. 'I know better,' said he, 'than to regard the promises -of a faithless Persian, who the moment I was unarmed would -maltreat and murder me.' I ordered my men to withdraw to a -distance, and after making a vow he should be well used, and -leaving my arms on the ground, I rode forward, saying, 'I will -confide in you, though you dare not trust me.' The youth, subdued -by this action, sprung from his horse, threw down his spear -and sword, and hastened to kiss my stirrup; offering at the same -time his services, which I accepted.</p> - -<p>"I desired him to remount," continued Mahomed Shereef -Khan, "and we rejoined my astonished followers. After complimenting -him on his courage, I asked where he was born? -'At Cashan,' he said. 'You a Cāshānee!' I replied with surprise. -'I am,' said he; 'my father was a silk weaver, and I had -just begun to learn his business, being about twelve years of age, -when having gone with some companions to amuse ourselves at a -distance from the town, we were surprised and carried off by a -party of Tūrkūmāns. I was adopted into the family of one of -their chiefs, who carefully instructed me in horsemanship and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_148" id="Page_148">[148]</a></span> -the use of arms. I have ever since accompanied him in his plundering -incursions into Persia and other countries.'</p> - -<p>"Now," said the old Mehmandar, "this man continued -twenty years with me; he only died about a twelvemonth ago, -and maintained till the day of his death the character he had established -at our first meeting. This example," he concluded, "satisfies -me that it is possible the son of a weaver, if properly brought -up, may be a brave man. Nevertheless, there can be no doubt -these silk manufactories give bad habits, and spoil many a good -soldier."</p> - -<p>Our first march from Cashan was to the cāravānserāi of Sinsin. -We found the village, which had been very flourishing thirty -years ago, a complete ruin, with only a few inhabitants. -Amongst these was an old man, who gave me an account of the -incursions of parties of savage Tūrkūmāns, who year after year -laid waste their fields, plundered their dwellings, and carried their -wives and children into slavery.</p> - -<p>I asked him if no means had been taken to prevent these inroads. -"Alas!" said he, "our own country, at the period of -which I speak, was in too distracted a state to admit of any such -precautions, and we were too weak to defend ourselves against -such daring and ferocious men. Besides, they came and vanished -in a moment. Thirty or forty mounted robbers and twenty led -horses used to surprise us at daylight: all the spoil they could -carry, together with women and children, were fastened on the -led horses, and in an hour or two they were in full march to their -homes, on the eastern shores of the Caspian Sea.</p> - -<p>"If we attempted resistance," continued the narrator of this -sad tale, "as we sometimes did, they became furious; our -houses were burnt, the old and helpless massacred, and all the -property they could not bear away was destroyed. Look here," -said he, pointing to some scars, "Look at these; I got them in -attempting to save my little brother and two sisters from the -merciless grasp of these ruthless spoilers. I was left for dead, -while my poor father, who was wounded also, had only sufficient -life left to reach Cashan, where he expired, after giving intelligence -of our fate. Some horsemen were sent in pursuit, but -their pampered animals, kept to parade in squares and market-places, -could never overtake the trained horses of the plunderers,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_149" id="Page_149">[149]</a></span> -who used to come two hundred fersekhs<a name="FNanchor_91_91" id="FNanchor_91_91"></a><a href="#Footnote_91_91" class="fnanchor">[91]</a> and return in ten -days.</p> - -<p>"But, thank God," he concluded, "if the Kajirs who now -fill the throne of Persia have done us no other good, it is no -slight blessing to be freed from the ravages of these terrible -Yamoots; that is the name of the tribe who made the inroads -upon us. They dwell in the plains near Astrabad, and are -friends of our royal family, who are natives of that place: -besides, now that Persia is settled, they find there is more profit, -and less danger, in breeding and selling horses, than in plundering -and murdering their neighbours."</p> - -<p>I had ten years before seen a good deal of some Tūrkūmāns -at Teheran. Their character, and what I learnt of their habits, -quite prepared me to believe the melancholy tale which was told -me by the old villager, towards whom I showed a sympathy that -surprised him; for scenes like these are so common in Persia, -that they attract little attention. The fact is, the Tūrkūmāns -are only a shade more savage than those tribes of Persian and -Tartar origin, who form the military class of this nation, and -who, though restrained in some degree of order, when the -government is strong, cherish their lawless habits, and are ready -at a moment to show them, when invited to do so, by the weakness -or distraction of the state.</p> - -<p>The Tūrkūmāns<a name="FNanchor_92_92" id="FNanchor_92_92"></a><a href="#Footnote_92_92" class="fnanchor">[92]</a> have long been familiar to Persian history -as depredators. This race of Tartars has small eyes, high cheek -bones, thin beards, and robust frames. The women, though with -softer features, and some with good complexions, are seldom -beauties; and they are generally more valued for their capability -of enduring fatigue, and for giving birth to, and bringing up -stout children, than for any of those charms and accomplishments -which are so highly prized in more civilized society.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_150" id="Page_150">[150]</a></span></p> - -<p>During the last century the limits of Persia have been more -confined than formerly, and these Tūrkūmān tribes may now be -considered more as borderers to that country than as forming -part of its population. They appear indeed to have cultivated -and fostered all the qualities which might be expected to belong -to a race so situated, and have become, in virtue of usage, -entitled alternately to claim the privilege of being protected by, -or the right of plundering, the kingdoms they divide.</p> - -<p>The Tūrkūmāns trace their descent to the great Moghul -monarch Aghooz Khan, the son of Kara Khan, the son of -Moghul Khan, the son of the Lord knows who. Their great -progenitor was famous for his five sons, his bow, and his three -golden arrows! At his death he divided the bow, which is the -type of power, between the two elder, to whom he consigned his -great empire. To each of the three younger he gave an arrow, -signifying by that bequest that they and their descendants were -to obey their elder brethren; to be chiefs, generals, and embassadors, -and to fly at command, as an arrow when directed -from the bow. The Tūrkūmāns belong to one of the junior -branches of this great family, but they have not hitherto been -remarkable for any of the dispositions or qualities likely to render -them useful or obedient servants.</p> - -<p>I had the account of their origin, as well as many other facts -connected with their history, from an old Tūrkūmān called -Rahmān Beg, of whom I bought some horses. A short anecdote -will give his character. I was anxious to buy a very fine animal -he had, but I delayed the purchase from an objection to his -head, which was large and ugly. One day as I was commenting -on this unsightly member, my friend lost all patience, "What -the devil," said he, "do they ride on the head of a horse in your -country, that you are so particular as to its size and beauty?"</p> - -<p>This rude, but intelligent barbarian, though he could neither -read nor write, and had the utmost contempt for Moollāhs -(a term which, with him, included all priests and scholars), was -as familiar with the history of his own tribe as Mirkhond, or any -of the best Eastern historians.</p> - -<p>"You have, no doubt," said he to me, "read of the famous<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_151" id="Page_151">[151]</a></span> -Seljūkian Prince Sanjar. That sovereign, not content with an -annual tribute of twenty-four thousand sheep which we gave -him, wanted to increase the number, and to send one of his own -officers to choose from our flocks, instead of trusting to the -honour of our chiefs. This we could never put up with; so we -fought him, destroyed his army, and took him prisoner. He was -for some years set upon a throne every day, and confined in a -cage every night; but at last he made his escape; and being a -soft-hearted, foolish blockhead, died of grief, from seeing the -state of desolation to which we had reduced his favourite province -of Khorassan! After this," continued he, "we became the -terror of the world, and the name of Tūrkūmān, which had long -been despised, was dreaded everywhere. Who has not heard," -said he exultingly, "of our princes and chiefs who subdued -kingdoms, and plundered empires, under the glorious banners of -the white and the black sheep? But these days of sovereignty -did not last long; we separated, and have never since done any -thing worthy of mention. The tribe of Yamoot," continued my -old friend, "to which I belong, remained long unsubdued, and -made famous annual inroads into Persia; but the late king, Aga -Mahomed Khan, who was a cruel, wily, old rogue, spoiled all -that sport. Being well acquainted with our haunts, he made a -sudden incursion into our country, slew numbers, and brought -away many captives, the majority of whom were women and -children."</p> - -<p>"The possession of our families," said Rahmān Beg, as he -concluded this short history of his tribe, "compelled our chiefs -to enter into a compact not to plunder, and they have been -obliged to give their children as hostages for its faithful performance. -The present king has improved upon the policy of -his uncle: a colony of our tribe is established at Teheran; -some are in service, and the others, though strictly watched, are -permitted to trade. If matters go on in this way our sons will -become a set of blackguard horse-dealers, instead of gallant warriors, -and their children will be instructed in the art of cheating -unwary citizens, instead of the more manly occupation of plundering -a rich traveller. We shall have no more fine Persian -girls to keep our tents clean, and dress our victuals, nor active -fellows to rub our horses, or attend our flocks! What a sad<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_152" id="Page_152">[152]</a></span> -change! And as to our profits in breeding and selling horses, -I have known more money given in one day for the ransom of a -nobleman or a wealthy merchant, than our whole tribe can now -make by trafficking in cattle for a twelvemonth!"</p> - -<p>I asked Rahmān Beg, how he, as a Mahomedan, could reconcile -himself to make slaves of persons of the same religion? -"What," said he, "do you count these rascally Sheāhs, the -Persians, who deny the first four Caliphs, to be of the same religion -as we Soonees?—they are vile schismatics." "Then," I -observed, "when you made Soonees captives, you did not make -them slaves?" "Why! I don't know; I think," he added, -laughing, "we should in such case have been compelled to become -Sheāhs ourselves; for slaves we must have."</p> - -<p>The Tūrkūmāns, of whom Rahmān Beg is a fair specimen, -pay little if any regard to religion beyond a few ceremonies. -The rites observed at their births, funerals, and marriages, are -not essentially different from those of the other wandering tribes -in Persia. The courage of this tribe is proverbial, and both the -Persians and Afghāns admit their extraordinary prowess. They -use bows and arrows, and some few have fire-arms, but the -weapon on which they place most dependence is the spear. This -is in general from ten to twelve feet long, rudely formed, and -with a short piece of steel at the point.</p> - -<p>As we were one day looking at a party of the king's guards,<a name="FNanchor_93_93" id="FNanchor_93_93"></a><a href="#Footnote_93_93" class="fnanchor">[93]</a> -each of whom was armed with a sword, a spear, a pair of pistols, -and a dagger, Rahmān Beg tossed up his head in contempt, -exclaiming, "What is the good of all that arsenal? what can -a soldier want beyond a spear and a heart?"<a name="FNanchor_94_94" id="FNanchor_94_94"></a><a href="#Footnote_94_94" class="fnanchor">[94]</a></p> - -<p>The Tūrkūmāns are fond of music and dancing. The celebrated -song of "Koor Ogloo," or The Son of the Blind Man, -is chanted when they go to battle, and is said to have a wonderful -effect in exciting the courage of this rude race. I asked -Rahmān Beg to give me a copy of this song; he could not, but -gave me its general purport, and repeated some lines with great -animation.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_153" id="Page_153">[153]</a></span></p> - -<p>The burthen of the song is the wonderful deeds of the son of -a poor blind old man, who employed himself in plundering -travellers and caravans, while his father dwelt in the recesses of -a wood which lay between two great cities. The prowess of the -single arm of the "Son of the blind man" was so great, that -hundreds could not withstand it; and when thousands were sent -against him, his fleet horse Kerāt carried him to a place of -security.</p> - -<p>The praises of the hero and his horse, the prodigies of valour -of the one, the wonderful fleetness of the other, with the descriptions -of rich plunder, and beautiful damsels, which abound -throughout this song, are quite congenial to the habits of a -Tūurkūmān; and I could believe all the feelings, that I was -told its recitation produced, from the effect the mere account of -it that he gave me had on Rahmān Beg. "Others of the -Tartar blood," said my old friend, "admire this fine composition; -but a set of fellows who live as they do, are not -worthy of such verses; and we also," he added, "if we go on -as we are now doing, shall soon be ashamed to hear them sung -by our minstrels; who may well cherish these old strains, for we -no longer supply them with deeds for new songs of battle!"</p> - -<p>I was very anxious to learn all I could of the breed and -management of the Tūrkūmān horses, which are so highly -valued in Persia. They are of good size, being from fifteen to -sixteen hands high, of excellent temper, and of a shape, like -that of the highest bred English carriage-horses, lengthy and -strong limbed; and often showing a great deal of blood.</p> - -<p>The Tūrkūmāns trace all their best horses to Arabian sires; -and they believe that the race degenerates, after three or four -descents, unless it is, what they term, "refreshed." This makes -them most anxious to obtain fine Arabian horses. Rahmān Beg -and his brother offered the Elchee a large sum for a very fine -animal he had brought from Abusheher, and they seemed greatly -disappointed that he would not part with him.</p> - -<p>The size of the horses is attributed to the fine pasture lands -on which they are reared; and the extraordinary capability of -bearing fatigue to their blood, and the manner in which they -are trained. They ride them with snaffles, and allow them to -go slouching along with their necks loose. They speak with -contempt of horsemen who rein up their horses, and throw -them on their haunches. "It is taking the animal," said<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_154" id="Page_154">[154]</a></span> -Rahmān Beg to me, "off his natural position; and for what? -to get a little readiness<a name="FNanchor_95_95" id="FNanchor_95_95"></a><a href="#Footnote_95_95" class="fnanchor">[95]</a> in the plain; and for this power of -skirmishing, you hurt, if you do not altogether lose, the long -walk, trot, and gallop, to which we trust in our forays!"<a name="FNanchor_96_96" id="FNanchor_96_96"></a><a href="#Footnote_96_96" class="fnanchor">[96]</a></p> - -<p>These plunderers train their horses, as much as we do our -racers or hunters. Before they begin their expeditions, they -put them into complete condition, and the marches they perform -are astonishing. According to their own accounts, some -have gone forty fersekhs (140 miles) within twenty-four hours; -and it was ascertained on most minute inquiry, that parties of -them, in their predatory inroads, were in the habit of marching -from twenty to thirty fersekhs (from 70 to 105 miles) for -twelve or fifteen days together, without a halt.</p> - -<p>Before proceeding on a foray they knead a number of small -hard balls of barley-meal, which, when wanted, they soak in -water, and this serves as food to both themselves and their -horses. It is a frequent practice with them in crossing deserts, -where no water is to be found, to open a vein in the shoulder of -the horse, and to drink a little of his blood; which, according to -their opinion, benefits, rather than injures the animal, while it refreshes -the rider. On my appearing to doubt this fact, Rahmān -Beg showed me several old horses, on which there were numerous -marks of having been bled; and he assured me they never had -recourse to phlebotomy but on such occasions as have been stated.</p> - -<p>The Eelyāts, or wandering tribes in Persia, are like the -Tūrkūmāns, but somewhat less barbarous. They have been often -described, and one good picture of this race serves for all, for -they are little subject to change; and while every tradition and -every work on the ancient history of Persia proves that many of -its more southern inhabitants, particularly those of the mountains -of Kerman and Lauristan, have been nomades, or wandering -tribes, from time immemorial, we find in the Turkish Eelyāts -who have overrun the northern provinces, the language, the -habits, and the appearance of the Tartar race to which they -belong.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_155" id="Page_155">[155]</a></span></p> - -<p>The qualities most prized amongst these tribes are courage in -men, and chastity in women. The females who dwell in tents -wear no veils. They welcome strangers, are very hospitable, -and their manner, though confident, is by no means immodest. -The Elchee on his return from the first mission, when riding one -day near a small encampment of Afshār families, expressed doubts -to his mehmandar, a Persian nobleman, as to the reported boldness -and skill in horsemanship of their females. The mehmandar -immediately called to a young woman of handsome appearance, -and asked her in Turkish if she was a soldier's daughter? She -said she was. "And you expect to be a mother of soldiers," -was the next observation. She smiled. "Mount that horse," -said he, pointing to one with a bridle, but without a saddle, "and -show this European Elchee the difference between a girl of a -tribe and a citizen's daughter." She instantly sprung upon the -animal, and setting off at full speed, did not stop till she had -reached the summit of a small hill in the vicinity, which was -covered with loose stones. When there, she waved her hand -over her head, and came down the hill at the same rate at which -she had ascended it. Nothing could be more dangerous than -the ground over which she galloped; but she appeared quite -fearless, and seemed delighted at having an opportunity of vindicating -the females of her tribe from the reproach of being like -the ladies of cities.<a name="FNanchor_97_97" id="FNanchor_97_97"></a><a href="#Footnote_97_97" class="fnanchor">[97]</a></p> - -<p>The wives and daughters of the chiefs, who accompany their -relations to cities and towns, have in some degree adopted the -customs of citizens; but neither such changes of manners in the -ladies, nor the habits acquired by the men, are suffered to dissolve -their ties with followers, whose devoted attachment and -readiness to adopt their cause, or to revenge their death, constitute -their strength and safeguard, amidst all the hazards with -which they are surrounded.</p> - -<p>The habits and sentiments of this class of people interested me -exceedingly; and my anxiety to observe as much as I could of -their domestic arrangements, made me delighted on hearing that -the Elchee intended a visit to the house of his mehmandar, -Mihrāb Khan Afshār, a man of high family, and who holds an -office at court.</p> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_156" id="Page_156">[156]</a></span></p> -<p>The day before we arrived at his house I met him on the -march, having a letter in his hand, with the contents of which -he appeared highly offended. "I hope you have no unpleasant -news," I said. "Nothing," was his reply; "except that I am -directed in this mandate from his majesty's minister, to be most -careful in protecting the villages and grounds we have to pass, -and not take a blade of grass from them. The chief of the tribe -to which these lands belong," he added in a rage, "has obtained -this order. The scoundrel! But this is another item to the -account which I shall some day settle with compound interest."</p> - -<p>"You must know," said Mihrāb Khan, seeing I did not quite -comprehend him, "this tribe and mine have a long-continued feud. -Our lands adjoin; the government is too strong at present to admit -of attacking each other openly like brave men; so we endeavour, -like sneaking rascals, to do each other all the mischief we can -by intrigues and plots at court. They are at present in great -favour, and have recently obtained the transfer of a small tribe, -whose tents you have just passed, and who were formerly our -peasants." "Who are these peasants?" I asked. "Oh," said -the Turkish chief, "they belong to one of the old Persian tribes, -which it is the policy of the king to break, and so he parcels -them amongst us Turks; but that has nothing to do with his -taking them from us, and giving them to our enemies."</p> - -<p>During this conversation we had reached the summit of an -eminence, from which Mihrāb Khan, his eyes glistening with -joy, pointed out the ruins of a village. "Look there," said he, -"it is twenty-five years since I accompanied my uncle Hāshem -Khan to an attack of that village; we completely sacked and -destroyed it. The rascals had no Shāhin-Shāh (king of kings) -to protect them then. But there is one consolation, these -stupid times cannot last for ever; and if I live long enough -to give these vagabonds another sound drubbing, I shall die -contented!"</p> - -<p>The morning after this conversation, we arrived at the fort of -Hāshem,<a name="FNanchor_98_98" id="FNanchor_98_98"></a><a href="#Footnote_98_98" class="fnanchor">[98]</a> a name given to this castle, after the founder, the -uncle of our mehmandar. We were met by four nephews of -the latter, several of his relations, a troop of his followers, and -his little son Shāhverdee, who, though only eight years of age, -paid his compliments to the Elchee in a most formal style, and -managed with great address a large and spirited horse.</p> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_157" id="Page_157">[157]</a></span></p> -<p>When we entered the fort, we found it completely dismantled, -and two of the bastions thrown down. This was done, we were -informed, by the jealousy of the king, who disapproved of his -nobles having strongholds.</p> - -<p>We had no sooner finished a very plentiful breakfast, than our -host retired to his inner apartment, and returned, leading in his -hand a stout, chubby, red-cheeked boy, between three and four -years of age. Of this little fellow, he seemed very proud; there -could not be a finer child: he, also, was well trained, and made -his obeisance to the Elchee, like a high bred young gentleman, -and took his seat near his father. We however managed, though -not without some difficulty, to discompose his gravity, and soon -discovered, that he was, as his father had described him, a proper -Young Pickle.</p> - -<p>In introducing me to his relations Mihrāb Khan gave me a -short history of his family. "My father," said he, "had two -brothers, one older and one younger than himself. Here (pointing -to them) are four young men, the grandsons of my eldest -uncle, who was head of the family. Their eldest brother is with -the king, commanding a body of horse, all of the tribe of -Afshār, and this (turning to an elderly person) is my cousin, the -son of my younger uncle.</p> - -<p>"My family," said the Khan, "consists of six children, of -whom you have seen two: they are all (except one) by the same -mother, my wife, the daughter of Fatteh Ali Khan Afshār, a -famous chief, who, on the death of Nadir Shāh (whom you know -was of our tribe) aspired to the throne. My good father-in-law, -however, lost his life in the attempt to become a king, and I -married his orphan daughter, an excellent woman, but who carries -her head rather high, as no doubt she has a right to do, from -recollection of her father's pretensions! Look!" said he, speaking -softly, for the apartment we were in was within hearing of -the interior; "look at that youngster at the other end of the -room: he is my son. His mother was the daughter of a jeweller -at Isfahan, an uncommonly pretty girl. He is a fine lad, but I -dare hardly notice him; and he is, you will observe, not allowed -to sit within ten yards of the grandsons of Fatteh Ali Khan -Afshār! This is all very proper," he added; "it is attention -to the dam, as well as the sire, that keeps the breed good. -Besides, the influence of females amongst us Eelyāts is very<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_158" id="Page_158">[158]</a></span> -great, and if we did not treat them with respect, matters would -not long be right."</p> - -<p>Mihrāb Khan next gave me an account of the mode in which -their family lands were allotted, and how the disbursements of the -respective branches of the family were made. "My father and -his brothers lived together," said he, "and we do the same. Our -inheritance was equal, and each of the three branches is charged -a day's expenditure, successively. Entertainments and imposts -are paid in equal shares. We seek by intermarriages to strengthen -those ties, which are our only defence against oppression and -destruction.</p> - -<p>"We are Turks," he concluded, laughing, "and consequently, -you may suppose, have often violent quarrels, but the necessity -of our condition soon reconciles us again; and we are at present, -and will I trust long continue, an united family!"</p> - -<p>I remarked in the followers of Mihrāb Khan, as I had done -in other tribes, an attachment to their chief approaching to -a perfect devotion. It was a love and duty, of inheritance, -strengthened by the feelings of twenty generations. Though the -superior in general repaid this feeling with regard and protection, -I saw many instances of its being considered as much a property -as the land, and the inanimate goods and chattels, which -he who received it had inherited from his father.</p> - -<p>There are few countries which can boast of more examples of -devoted allegiance of chiefs to their sovereign, as well as of followers -to their chiefs, than Persia: but this will not recommend -them to many of my readers. We live in a refined and artificial -age, and, vain of our condition, we laugh to scorn feelings which -were the pride of our ancestors, and which at this moment form -the only ties that preserve order over nine-tenths of the universe.</p> - -<p>Allegiance of any description is, according to some philosophers, -a folly if not a crime, and quite beneath the dignity of -human beings. Others admit that from being a cherished prejudice, -it may in some cases have a salutary action; but those -who view man as formed by his Creator, and who contemplate -the origin of those motives by which he is actuated, will find -that the feeling of dependence with which allegiance is associated, -and which in the silence of reason often leads to a line of action -beneficial to the community as well as the individual, is not the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_159" id="Page_159">[159]</a></span> -less valuable from being grafted on his weakness; a part of his -nature, by the by, requiring much more the care and attention -of philosophers than his strength, for that can take care of -itself.</p> - -<p>Allegiance is the duty a child owes to its parent, for birth, -nourishment, and protection. It is that which collected families -owe to a chief of their tribe, who is their point of union, and -consequently of their security; and in its climax it is that which -chiefs and their followers owe to a sovereign, their concentrated -attachment to whom is the ground of their safety and their glory -as a nation. This feeling gains strength by becoming hereditary. -It is associated with the fame of individuals, of families, of tribes, -and of empires; it is conservative, it is destructive; but even in -its most dreadful action it has in it an ennobling principle, for it -is congenial with the most natural, as well as the highest and -noblest feelings of the human mind.</p> - -<p>The wandering tribes in Persia are not more remarkable for -attachment to their chiefs than for the affection relations bear to -each other, and the strength of those ties by which every individual -is bound to the community of which he is a part.</p> - -<p>A Persian friend of mine related to me in illustration of this -fact, an authentic and affecting anecdote of the conduct of an -old man of one of those tribes during the reign of Kerreem Khan -Zend.</p> - -<p>Twelve men had been robbed and murdered under the walls -of Shiraz. The perpetrators of this atrocious act could not for -a long period be discovered, but Kerreem Khan deeming this -occurrence so deeply injurious to that impression of security and -justice which it was the labour of his life to establish, commanded -the officers of justice to persevere in their search till the offenders -were detected, threatening them, and others who had heard the -cries of the murdered men with vengeance, unless they effected a -discovery, which he considered essential to his own reputation.</p> - -<p>After some months had elapsed, it was discovered by accident -that a small branch of Kerreem Khan's own tribe of Zend, at -that time encamped near Shiraz, were the murderers. Their -guilt was clearly proved, and all who had been actually engaged -in the murder were sentenced to death. Powerful intercession -was made that some at least should be pardoned, but the prince<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_160" id="Page_160">[160]</a></span> -had vowed that every man should suffer, and their being of his -own favoured tribe made him more inexorable. They had, he -said, brought disgrace on him as their sovereign and as their -chief, and could not be forgiven.</p> - -<p>When the prisoners were brought before him to receive sentence, -there was amongst them a youth of twenty years of age, -whose appearance interested every spectator; but their anxiety -was increased to pain when they saw the father of this young -man rush forward, and demand, before they proceeded to the execution, -to speak to the prince. Permission was granted, and he -addressed him as follows:</p> - -<p>"Kerreem Khan, you have sworn that these guilty men shall -die, and it is just; but I, who am not guilty, come here to demand -a boon of my chief. My son is young, he has been deluded into -crime; his life is forfeited, but he has hardly tasted the sweets of -life; he is just betrothed in marriage; I come to die in his stead: -be merciful! let an old worn out old man perish, and spare a -youth, who may long be useful to his tribe; let him live to drink -of the waters, and till the ground of his ancestors!"</p> - -<p>Kerreem Khan is stated to have been greatly moved by the old -man's appeal: he could not pardon the offence, having sworn on -the Koran that all concerned should be put to death; and with -feelings very different from our ideas of justice, but congenial to -those of the chief of a tribe, he granted the father's prayer, and -the old man went exultingly to meet his fate. While all around -were filled with pity, his son, wild and distracted with grief, was -loud in imploring the prince to reverse his decree, to inflict on -him that death which he merited, and to save the more valuable -life of his aged, devoted, and innocent parent.</p> - -<div class="footnotes"><h3>FOOTNOTES:</h3> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_89_89" id="Footnote_89_89"></a><a href="#FNanchor_89_89"><span class="label">[89]</span></a> Neeyet-e-naish zedden.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_90_90" id="Footnote_90_90"></a><a href="#FNanchor_90_90"><span class="label">[90]</span></a> Boodeh-bāshed.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_91_91" id="Footnote_91_91"></a><a href="#FNanchor_91_91"><span class="label">[91]</span></a> The standard fersekh of Persia is 6000 royal yards (gez-e-shāh), which -is somewhat more than three miles and a half. This measure, however, -varies in different provinces of that kingdom.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_92_92" id="Footnote_92_92"></a><a href="#FNanchor_92_92"><span class="label">[92]</span></a> Many Persian authors assert that the word Tūrkūmān is from the compound -term Tūrk-mānend, or Turk-like; and the conclusion made from this -is, that they are a tribe of Tartars who, having become inhabitants of the -north-eastern part of Persia, were subsequently designated by a name which -marked their origin. Persian writers, however, are generally bad etymologists, -and I am a worse; I must, therefore, leave this important question in -doubt.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_93_93" id="Footnote_93_93"></a><a href="#FNanchor_93_93"><span class="label">[93]</span></a> Gholam-e-Shāh.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_94_94" id="Footnote_94_94"></a><a href="#FNanchor_94_94"><span class="label">[94]</span></a> Een kārkhāneh cheh fāideh; berāe sipāhee cheh zeroor sewāe neezeh -wa dil?</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_95_95" id="Footnote_95_95"></a><a href="#FNanchor_95_95"><span class="label">[95]</span></a> Hāzir mydānee.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_96_96" id="Footnote_96_96"></a><a href="#FNanchor_96_96"><span class="label">[96]</span></a> Chappau.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_97_97" id="Footnote_97_97"></a><a href="#FNanchor_97_97"><span class="label">[97]</span></a> History of Persia, vol. ii. p. 115.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_98_98" id="Footnote_98_98"></a><a href="#FNanchor_98_98"><span class="label">[98]</span></a> Kella-e-Hāshem Khan.</p></div></div> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_161" id="Page_161">[161]</a></span></p> - - - - -<h2>CHAPTER XV.</h2> - -<blockquote> - -<p>Arrival at Koom—Mahomedan Ladies—Their Rights and Privileges after -Marriage—Divorces—Story of Hajee Sālah, the Cross-Grained.</p></blockquote> - - -<p>We went from Cashan to Koom, a very ancient and once -populous city, but the greater part of it is now in ruins. Several -of the Seffavean monarchs, and many celebrated and pious persons -are interred at this place; but notwithstanding the tombs of -learned priests and great monarchs, with which it is honoured, -its present fame and sanctity are chiefly derived from its containing -the mortal remains of Fatima the Immaculate,<a name="FNanchor_99_99" id="FNanchor_99_99"></a><a href="#Footnote_99_99" class="fnanchor">[99]</a> who was the -sister of the Imām Mehdee.</p> - -<p>The city of Koom was given sometime ago by the king as an -estate to his mother, a pious liberal old lady, who expended -considerable sums in restoring it to prosperity. She bestowed -especial care in ornamenting the shrine of the female saint, the -dome of which being gilt has a splendid appearance. This is a -sanctuary even for murderers.</p> - -<p>Whatever ignorant Europeans may say of the exclusion of -females from the Mahomedan Paradise, the ladies who profess -that religion have the consolation to know, that not only in this -instance, but that of Fatima, the daughter of the Prophet, and in -many others, they receive a homage which proves their title to -the adoration of man, as saints in heaven, as well as angels upon -earth.</p> - -<p>I have had frequent discussions with my Persian friends upon -the general condition of the female sex in this country; and cannot -better illustrate the subject than by relating what passed on -an occasion when I made a violent attack on their usages in this -particular, and brought them into strong contrast with those of -the civilized nations of Europe.</p> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_162" id="Page_162">[162]</a></span></p> -<p>I began by stating, that, by making slaves of one half of the -creation they made tyrants of the other. "I am only surprised," -I said, "how your females can bear the subjection and confinement -to which they are doomed. How our Christian ladies -would scorn such restraints! Their minds are cultivated as -carefully as those of their fathers, brothers, or husbands, who -trust for their good conduct to their sense of virtue and religion, -rather than to strong doors and high walls. We desire," I -added, "that those who share our pleasures and our toils should -be acquainted with the world in which they live, that we may -possess not only an affectionate wife, but an intelligent friend.</p> - -<p>"Your Mahomedan ladies, on the contrary, are shut up like -wild animals: whilst moving from one inclosure to another they -travel in a curtained carriage; or, if walking, they are enveloped -in robes which merely admit of their breathing and seeing their -way through small eye-windows. Besides, they are not allowed -to have any communication but with their husbands, children, or -slaves. What with flattering one, coaxing another, beating a -third, and fighting a fourth, these ladies must have a fine time of -it in this world; and as to the next, though they are not denied -Paradise, as we Europeans often erroneously believe, they are -only promised, as a reward for the most pious life, half those -blessings which await the virtuous of the male part of the -creation!</p> - -<p>"Your females," I said, "are married while mere children, -and the consequence is, they are old women at twenty-five. This -furnishes you with an excuse for forming other connexions, and -treating your first wives with neglect."</p> - -<p>This attack was listened to with symptoms of impatience; -every one seemed anxious to answer, but precedence was given -to Jaffier Ali Khan, and the ladies of his country could not have -had a better advocate.</p> - -<p>"Really, sir, you form a very erroneous judgment of the condition -of our women. In this, as in many other instances, where -our religion or our customs are concerned, vulgar errors pass -from one to another till they are believed by all. Many persons -in England imagine that a pigeon was taught to pick peas from -the ears of the Prophet, who thought he might succeed by this -device in persuading the ignorant that the pigeon was a celestial -messenger. They also say that his tomb at Mecca is supported<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_163" id="Page_163">[163]</a></span> -between heaven and earth by means of a loadstone. If true, it -would be a miracle; but it is not true: nevertheless people believe -it, and the more readily, because it is wonderful. Now," -said Jaffier, "it is the same with half the stories about our -women. Why, I am told, it is a common belief with you that -Mahomed has declared women have no souls! If you read the -Koran you will find that our Prophet not only ranks women with -men as true believers, but particularly ordains that they shall be -well treated and respected by their husbands; he has indeed -secured that by establishing their right to dowers as well as to -claims of inheritance. He also has put it out of the power of a -husband to hurt the reputation of his wife, unless he can produce -four witnesses of her guilt; and should he have witnessed that -himself, he must swear four times to the fact, and then by a fifth -oath imprecate the wrath of God if he is a liar. Even after -this, if the wife goes through the same ceremony, and imprecates -the wrath of God upon her head if her husband does not swear -falsely, her punishment is averted; or if she is divorced, her -whole dower must be paid to her, though it involve the husband -in ruin. What protection can be more effectual than this?</p> - -<p>"Then a woman who is divorced may marry again after four -months, which is believed to be soon enough. These widows, I -assure you, sir, when they have a good dower, are remarkable -for consulting their own judgment as to a second choice; they -are not like young giddy girls, who are guided by their parents -or the reports of old nurses or match-makers."</p> - -<p>"But how do they see or hear," said I, "sufficient to direct -them in their choice?"</p> - -<p>"Why," said Jaffier Ali, "they see and hear much more than -you imagine. Besides the liberty they enjoy of going abroad, -some of the rooms in the merdāneh, or man's apartments, are -only divided by a curtain or skreen from the zenāneh, or female -apartment; and the ladies can, when they choose, both see and -hear through that as much as they desire."</p> - -<p>"But what is the use of those peeps and chance meetings to -your young ladies, if they have not the liberty of choice with regard -to their husbands?"</p> - -<p>"Why, sir," said my friend, "our daughters are usually -betrothed when children, and married when very young; the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_164" id="Page_164">[164]</a></span> -husband is commonly selected from equality of condition and age. -All this is settled by the parents, whose regard for their children, -it is supposed, will make them take every means to promote -their happiness. It must be confessed, however, that worldly -motives often lead to youth and age being united; but this, I -am told, occurs even in England. You will say an English -father cannot force his daughter to marry, but he can no doubt -use such means as may oblige her to marry a man for whom she -has an aversion, or she may run away from her parents with some -person of whom they disapprove.</p> - -<p>"So you see," said Jaffier, "this liberty of choice which your -forward, though inexperienced, young ladies exercise, has bad as -well as good effects. Now our daughters never run away; and -as they have seldom ever seen their destined husbands, if they -have no love for them, neither have they any dislike. The -change from the condition of a girl under the strict subjection -of her mother to that of a wife at the head of her own part of -the household is so agreeable, that they are too happy to adopt it.</p> - -<p>"You English take your ideas of the situation of females in -Asia from what you hear and read of the harems of kings, -rulers, and chiefs, who being absolute over both the men and -women of their territories, indulge in a plurality of wives and -mistresses. These, undoubtedly, are immured within high walls, -and are kept during life like slaves; but you ought to recollect, -that the great and powerful, who have such establishments, are -not in the proportion of one to ten thousand of the population of -the country. If a person of inferior rank marry a woman of -respectable connexions, she becomes mistress of his family; and -should he have only one house, he cannot place another on an -equality without a certainty of involving himself in endless -trouble and vexation, if not disgrace. The dower usually -settled upon such a lady, added to other privileges, and an -unlimited authority over her children and servants, give her -much importance; and she is supported by her relations in the -assertion of every right with which custom has invested her.</p> - -<p>"With regard to liberty, such a lady can not only go to -the public bath, but she visits for one or two days, as she -chooses, at the house of her father, brother, sister, or son. She -not only goes to all these places unattended, but her husband's<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_165" id="Page_165">[165]</a></span> -following her would be deemed an unpardonable intrusion. -Then she has visitors at home; friends, musicians, and dancers; -the husband cannot enter the lady's part of the house without -giving notice. I only wish," said Jaffier Ali, laughing, "you -could see the bold blustering gentleman of the merdāneh in the -ladies' apartment; you would hardly believe him to be the same -person. The moment his foot crosses the threshold, every thing -reminds him he is no longer lord and master; children, servants, -and slaves look alone to the lady. In short, her authority is -paramount: when she is in good humour, everything goes on -well; and when in bad, nothing goes right. It is very well for -grandees, who, besides power and wealth, have separate houses -and establishments, and are above all regard for law and usage, -to have harems, and wives, and female slaves; but for others, -though they may try the experiment, it can never answer;" and -he shook his head, apparently with that sincere conviction which -is the result of experience.</p> - -<p>Hajee Hoosein, who had brought our evening kelliāns, and -was listening to this defence of Mahomedan ladies with great -attention, exclaimed at this last sentence, "Sādee says very -truly,</p> - -<div class="poem"> -'Two dervishes can sleep on one carpet,<br /> -But two kings cannot rest in one kingdom.'"<br /> -</div> - -<p>"Very true, Hajee," said Jaffier Ali, "nor can two mistresses -be at peace in one house."</p> - -<p>"Why, then," said I, "did your Prophet permit polygamy, -and set so bad an example? for while he limited his followers -to four wives, he obtained a peculiar dispensation to have nine -himself, besides 'Slaves of his right hand.'"<a name="FNanchor_100_100" id="FNanchor_100_100"></a><a href="#Footnote_100_100" class="fnanchor">[100]</a></p> - -<p>Meerzā Aga Meer, who is a holy Syed, and consequently of -the Prophet's family, took the word, as he is wont to do upon all -occasions when he hears a name so sacred irreverently treated.</p> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_166" id="Page_166">[166]</a></span></p> -<p>"The reasons of Mahomed (on whom be the blessing of -God)," said the Meerzā, calmly, "are inscrutable; but as far -as his acts can be judged by erring mortals, or considered otherwise -than as proceeding from Divine authority, we may believe -that in permitting polygamy, he only followed the custom of the -Jews; in whose Prophet, Moses, you Christians, as well as we -Musselmans, believe. The limitation to four legitimate wives -was intended as a check, no doubt, upon those habits of sensual -indulgence, into which not only the affluent of the Jews, but -the Pagan Arabs, had fallen; and it was the enormity of their -vices which led our Prophet to denounce such severe punishment -now and hereafter upon those who continued to follow wicked -courses.</p> - -<p>"There is no doubt," said Aga Meer, "that the custom to -which you have alluded, of very early marriages, and the effects -of climate and sedentary habits, bring on a premature old age in -many of our females. But after all, the number who take -advantage of the license to have a plurality of wives is not near -so great as you imagine. Take a thousand Persians and you -will not find ten with more than two wives, and not thirty with -more than one. Who can afford it? The expense of a marriage, -the maintenance of females, and, above all, the dower which is -required, and which remaining at the lady's sole disposal, is independent -of that inheritance to which she and her children -are entitled from the remainder of the husband's property, are -insuperable objections.</p> - -<p>"You speak," said he, addressing himself to me, "as if your -pity were limited to our ladies; if you were more intimately acquainted -with the condition of us husbands, we should have some -share of your sympathy. Jaffier Ali has already explained to -you some of the rights and privileges of our ladies, which are -usually supported by a host of relations, but he has not enumerated -one half. We may, it is true, escape from one wife by -marrying another; but if we are not rich, such a proceeding involves -the giving up most of our comforts in life. What I have -said applies to men of moderate means; and as to the great mass -of the population who live by their labour, few can support two -wives. If you have any doubts respecting the equality of condition -of their partners, do but listen now and then near their -houses, and you will hear a shrill and sharp voice rating the -supposed lord and master in a manner which will instantly -relieve your mind from any anxiety you may now feel for the -rights of the softer sex in Persia."</p> - -<p>This sally of the good Meer produced the more mirth, from<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_167" id="Page_167">[167]</a></span> -its being unusual for him to depart from his gravity. But -resuming his serious air, he continued; "Mahomedan women -have never real power until they have offspring. Māder, or -the mother, is, from the prince to the peasant, the chief object -of affection and respect. On her not only domestic concerns, -but the making of marriages usually depends. The care and indulgence -she bestows upon her children is often in strong contrast -to the neglect and harshness of the father, which deepens -the impression of gratitude they entertain for her during life. -This sentiment is so general, that nothing causes such complete -loss of character as want of love and duty towards a mother.</p> - -<p>"Have you studied our law," said Meerzā Aga Meer to -me, "particularly that part of it which relates to property and -inheritance?" I confesssed I had not given the subject that -attention it merited. "I thought so," said the Meer, "or you -would not have judged so lightly of the condition of our females."</p> - -<p>"It is," said the Meer, "the possession of property, and the -right of inheriting and using it, which gives respect and consequence -to persons with others as well as themselves. Now you -will find, both by the Koran, which is the fountain of our law, -and by the commentaries, which are streams from that sacred -source, that females have equal rights with males to use -property; and their claim to inheritance, though somewhat -smaller, as is the case in other countries, is on a scale that -shows the light in which they are held by our laws and institutions."</p> - -<p>The Meerzā supported his argument by more quotations from -the book of Mahomed, from traditions, and commentaries by -learned doctors, than I shall repeat. The sum of it, however, -was to this effect, that a woman who has property of her own, -which includes her dower, has full command of it during her -life. At her death the husband has half if there are no children, -and a fourth if there are. The remainder is divided among them -equally, females having the same share as males.</p> - -<p>When the husband dies, his wife or wives (legally married) -inherit one fourth of his property, if there are no children; if -there are, the wife or wives have only one eighth: but this is -always independent of the dower or settlement made at the -period of marriage.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_168" id="Page_168">[168]</a></span></p> - -<p>If a man leave an only daughter or grand-daughter, she has -the half of his estate; if two or more, they have two-thirds. -If he leave a son and daughters, the son has the share of two -females, besides becoming, after the shares are allotted, the heir-general -or residuary legatee.</p> - -<p>The daughters born in wedlock have their allotted shares of -inheritance, but in no case can they become heirs to any property -beyond that amount, except to their manumitted slave. -On the death of such a person they have a right to share as a -relation, and can inherit as heirs. "The following text of the -Koran is curious," said the Meer, "and merits to be quoted: -'There is not among women any heiress except her who kindly -freed the enslaved neck.'"</p> - -<p>"All you have said," I observed, "is very well. I understand -the rights of your legitimate wives and daughters; but -what becomes of the numerous progeny of slaves and others of -the Harem?"</p> - -<p>"What becomes of your illegitimate children in England?" -replied the Meer, with more asperity than was usual to him; but -my attack had roused him. "If," he continued, "the book -which was written by Meerzā Aboo Tālib, who travelled in your -country, is at all true, a great proportion of your females and -their offspring are in a much more miserable and degraded state -than any in our country! But perhaps," said he, in a milder -tone, "Aboo Tālib has exaggerated, which travellers are in the -habit of doing."</p> - -<p>I made no answer, for I thought of the parable of the "mote -and the beam," and turned the conversation from this part of -the subject by asking whether a man or woman could not bequeath -their property, "I am no Moollāh," said Aga Meer, -"to give a precise answer to such a question; but I know this, -they can bestow it during life, and I believe that though, -according to the strict interpretation of the Koran, pious or -charitable bequests are alone legal, others are attended to by the -judges when not very injurious or improper. I conclude this is -the case, by my knowledge that wills are frequently made; but -I am," he repeated, "no Moollāh."</p> - -<p>"That you are not a Moollāh, I am very glad," said Jaffier -Ali, "for I never can understand these doctors of our law; they<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_169" id="Page_169">[169]</a></span> -have always so many reasons to state on both sides of every -question, that they quite confuse me, and I really believe that -wise and learned as they are, they often confuse themselves." -"There is nothing, I can assure you, sir," said Jaffier Ali to me -"that these Moollāhs like better than advocating the cause of -our ladies, who, what with their aid, and that of other supporters, -as well as their own spirit, have, I think, more than an -equal share of power and authority."</p> - -<p>"But why," said I, "if they have this power, and such rights -of property, are they cooped up, and never allowed to stir abroad -without veils? with such usages how can they attain that knowledge -of the world which is necessary to enable them to perform -their duties?"</p> - -<p>"As to cooping up," said Aga Meer, who here resumed the -contest, "Jaffier Ali has already explained the indulgences they -have, in going abroad, and seeing their friends at home; and -with respect to wearing veils, what you deem a punishment they -consider a distinction, and look down with pity on the women of -the Eelyāt tribes and others, who do not follow this custom.</p> - -<p>"I do not exactly know," said he, "what you mean by a -knowledge of the world; nor do I distinctly understand the -benefits you expect them to derive from such knowledge. "We," -he added, smiling, "consider that loving and obeying their -husbands, giving proper attention to their children, and their -domestic duties, are the best occupations for females."</p> - -<p>"That is," I replied, "your females are either the slaves of -your pleasures, or drudges to perform the work of your house. -This is their lot in the present world, and in the next, though -you do not exclude them from heaven, you only allow, even to -the most virtuous, as I said before, half the joys which are -destined for a good man. They are in fact neither treated nor -instructed in a manner that can elevate them to the rank which -God meant them to hold, as the companions and friends of man; -and, in the condition in which your laws and usages place them, -they never can have that respect for themselves, nor receive it -from others, which is essential to form a civilized community."</p> - -<p>"But," said the Meer, "we are not a civilized community, -such as you allude to; some of our ladies, whose husbands or -fathers are learned men, have considerable knowledge, and many<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_170" id="Page_170">[170]</a></span> -of these have received an excellent education." "This," said I, -"is a fact of which I am aware; my friend Jaffier Ali, who -married the daughter of a physician, informed me how well the -mind of his consort had been cultivated by her wise and pious -father, and I have seen a small volume of poems copied by her, -which he means to present to the Elchee; but I consider her, -and some others with similar endowments, as exceptions to the -general rule."</p> - -<p>"Very fortunately," replied Aga Meer, "they are exceptions: -if the majority of our females were so well instructed, they would -be far before their fathers and husbands, and that would never do. -Changes must begin with the men or we shall have all in confusion.</p> - -<p>"With respect to the difference of rewards and punishments -between the male and female sex, it has been considered," said -the Meer, "that as the latter have not the same opportunities of -acquiring knowledge, their responsibility should be less, and it -is decreed that they shall only receive for any crime half the -punishment that would be inflicted upon a man. The same principle, -in reference to their good actions, has led to their being -only deemed entitled to half the enjoyment that a man can attain -in the next world. But this is a point," said the Meer, "that -I do not well comprehend. It has puzzled many of our wisest -Moollāhs, and volumes upon volumes of contradictory opinions -have been written by the expounders of the Koran, upon the -duties, rewards, and punishments of women here and hereafter; -God alone knows who is right and who is wrong."</p> - -<p>"I know as little as you or the Moollāhs either," said Jaffier -Ali, "of what will be the lot of our ladies in the next world, -but I am positive they enjoy plenty of power in this. Really, -my good friend," said he, addressing me, "if you could get a -peep behind the curtain, you would find that from the palace of -the king to the hut of the peasant, some personage, either in the -shape of a wife or a mother, secretly or openly rules the whole -household, the master not excepted. Some men, in the hope of -preserving their authority, marry a woman of low connexions, -or a slave, who cannot claim a dower. Such wives, being pennyless -and unsupported by relations, will, they expect, continue -mild and submissive, and neither give themselves airs nor leave -the house in a pet. These wary gentlemen, however, are often<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_171" id="Page_171">[171]</a></span> -disappointed; for if the partners they select are handsome and -beloved, they too become tyrants and tormentors."</p> - -<p>"That may be," said Mahomed Hoosein Khan, who had -hitherto listened to our discussion with much more patience than -I had expected, "but in such a case a man becomes a slave of -his own passions, which is far better than selling himself, as -many do, to be the slave of those of an arrogant woman, who, -from superior birth or great wealth, considers herself as the ruler -of him she has condescended to espouse."</p> - -<p>Hajee Hoosein, on hearing this remark, eagerly exclaimed, -"How exactly that was the case with Sādee! 'My termagant -of a wife,' (said that wise man), 'with whom, after my release -from the Christians at Tripoli,<a name="FNanchor_101_101" id="FNanchor_101_101"></a><a href="#Footnote_101_101" class="fnanchor">[101]</a> I had received a dower of a -hundred dinars, one day addressed me in a reproachful tone, and -asked, 'Are not you the contemptible wretch whom my father -ransomed from the slavery of the Franks at the cost of ten dinars?' -'Yes,' I replied, 'I am the same wretch whom he delivered -from the infidels for ten dinars, and enslaved to you for one -hundred!'"</p> - -<p>"Poor Sādee!" said Khan Sāhib, with a half sigh that indicated -fellow-feeling: "but," added he, "there is a possibility -of escape from such a condition. I will tell you a story of an -acquaintance of mine, who had the good fortune to terrify one -of these high-born shrews into good behaviour, but his success, -as you will hear, was of no benefit to his friends.</p> - -<p>"Sādik Beg was of good family, handsome in person, and possessed -of both sense and courage; but he was poor, having no property -but his sword and his horse, with which he served as a -gentleman retainer of a nabob. The latter, satisfied of the purity of -Sādik's descent, and entertaining a respect for his character, determined -to make him the husband of his daughter Hooseinee, -who, though beautiful, as her name implied, was remarkable for -her haughty manner and ungovernable temper.</p> - -<p>"Giving a husband of the condition of Sādik Beg to a lady of -Hooseinee's rank was, according to usage in such unequal matches, -like giving her a slave, and as she heard a good report of his personal -qualities, she offered no objections to the marriage, which was -celebrated soon after it was proposed, and apartments were assigned -to the happy couple in the nabob's palace.</p> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_172" id="Page_172">[172]</a></span></p> -<p>"Some of Sādik Beg's friends rejoiced in his good fortune; -as they saw, in the connexion he had formed, a sure prospect of -his advancement. Others mourned the fate of so fine and promising -a young man, now condemned to bear through life all the -humours of a proud and capricious woman; but one of his friends, -a little man called Merdek, who was completely henpecked, was -particularly rejoiced, and quite chuckled at the thought of seeing -another in the same condition with himself.</p> - -<p>"About a month after the nuptials Merdek met his friend, -and with malicious pleasure wished him joy of his marriage. -'Most sincerely do I congratulate you, Sādik,' said he, 'on -this happy event!' 'Thank you, my good fellow, I am very -happy indeed, and rendered more so by the joy I perceive it -gives my friends.' 'Do you really mean to say you are happy?' -said Merdek, with a smile. 'I really am so,' replied Sādik. -'Nonsense,' said his friend; 'do we not all know to what a termagant -you are united? and her temper and high rank combined -must no doubt make her a sweet companion.' Here he burst -into a loud laugh, and the little man actually strutted with a -feeling of superiority over the bridegroom.</p> - -<p>"Sādik, who knew his situation and feelings, was amused instead -of being angry. 'My friend,' said he, 'I quite understand -the grounds of your apprehension for my happiness. Before I -was married I had heard the same reports as you have done of -my beloved bride's disposition; but I am happy to say I have -found it quite otherwise: she is a most docile and obedient wife.' -'But how has this miraculous change been wrought?' 'Why,' -said Sādik, 'I believe I have some merit in effecting it, but you -shall hear.</p> - -<p>"'After the ceremonies of our nuptials were over, I went in -my military dress, and with my sword by my side, to the apartment -of Hooseinee. She was sitting in a most dignified posture -to receive me, and her looks were anything but inviting. As I -entered the room a beautiful cat, evidently a great favourite, -came purring up to me. I deliberately drew my sword, struck -its head off, and taking that in one hand and the body in the -other, threw them out of the window. I then very unconcernedly<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_173" id="Page_173">[173]</a></span> -turned to the lady, who appeared in some alarm: she, however, -made no observations, but was in every way kind and -submissive, and has continued so ever since.'</p> - -<p>"'Thank you, my dear fellow,' said little Merdek, with a significant -shake of the head—'a word to the wise;' and away he -capered, obviously quite rejoiced.</p> - -<p>"It was near evening when this conversation took place; soon -after, when the dark cloak of night had enveloped the bright -radiance of day, Merdek entered the chamber of his spouse, -with something of a martial swagger, armed with a scimitar. -The unsuspecting cat came forward to welcome the husband of -her mistress, but in an instant her head was divided from her -body by a blow from the hand which had so often caressed her. -Merdek having proceeded so far courageously, stooped to take up -the dissevered members of the cat, but before he could effect this, -a blow upon the side of the head from his incensed lady laid him -sprawling on the floor.</p> - -<p>"The tattle and scandal of the day spreads from zenāneh to -zenāneh with surprising rapidity, and the wife of Merdek saw in -a moment whose example it was that he imitated. 'Take that,' -said she, as she gave him another cuff, 'take that, you paltry -wretch; you should,' she added, laughing him to scorn, 'have -killed the cat on the wedding day.'"</p> - -<p>We were all highly entertained with Khan Sāhib's story, which -closed the discussion upon the rights, privileges, and usages of -Persian ladies; but though I left the party satisfied that these -were greater than I imagined, I continued unchanged in my -opinion that the civilization of Mahomedan countries must ever -be retarded by the condition assigned to the female sex by their -Prophet, who, though he neither denies that they have souls, nor -shuts the gates of Paradise against them, yet gives them only -half the responsibility, half the punishment, and half the enjoyments -assigned here and hereafter to the lords of the creation.</p> - -<p>Some days after our discussion concerning the rights of Mahomedan -ladies, I had a long conversation with Aga Meer as to -divorces. These, he told me, were very rare in Persia, it being -deemed a greater scandal for a man to put away his wife than for -a woman to be divorced.</p> - -<p>The usual ground of such a proceeding is a sudden fit of passion<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_174" id="Page_174">[174]</a></span> -or jealousy. That is followed by repentance, and the lady -is taken back. "But here," he added, "the law has interposed -to prevent the abuse of this indulgence by capricious husbands. -If a man pronounces three divorces against a free woman, or -two against a slave,<a name="FNanchor_102_102" id="FNanchor_102_102"></a><a href="#Footnote_102_102" class="fnanchor">[102]</a> he can lawfully wed neither of them again -unless they have been espoused by another, and this second husband -dies, or shall divorce them."</p> - -<p>When it happens that a husband wishes to recover his wife -whom he had divorced in a passion, a convenient husband is -sought; but the law forbids a mockery being made of such marriages. -They may be short in duration, but the parties must live -during the period they are united as man and wife.</p> - -<p>The consequence of this law is, that none but those who add -to caprice and passion, doting fondness for the lady, will ever -seek a re-union that is attended with such indelicacy and shame. -Nevertheless, this proceeding sometimes takes place, and no -doubt often gives rise to extraordinary incidents. These become -the groundwork of many an amusing tale, in which the imagination -of the narrator has ample range for exaggeration without -exceeding the bounds of possibility.</p> - -<p>In all the stories I ever heard, grounded on divorces, the lady -is always young and beautiful, the husband old, ugly, rich, and -passionate; and the person chosen to be the medium of regaining -the wife is, though apparently in such distress that a few piastres -will tempt him to act the part required, usually a lover in disguise, -or one who becomes, like the Cymon of our great poet, -animated by love of the object with whom he is united, to a -degree that transforms the supposed clod into a perfect hero of -romance, who rather than give up the fair lady, who prefers him, -to her old mate, suffers every hardship, and braves every danger -in pursuance of her plans and intrigues to prevent their separation. -The framing of the plot is invariably given to the female, -and it is often such as to do honour to the genius of the sex.</p> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_175" id="Page_175">[175]</a></span></p> -<p>In the Arabian Tales on this subject Hāroon-oor-Rasheed, and -his vizier Bermekee, are employed to aid the lovers in their night -wanderings in Bagdad. In Persia Shāh Abbas the Great, and -his minister, act the part of the caliph and his vizier, and both -parties are described as promoting by their advice, generosity, -and power, the happiness of the new married couple, and bringing -to shame the old hunks of a husband and the corrupt ministers -of justice, whom his wealth had bribed to lend their endeavours -to compel the lovers by all kinds of threats and punishments to -consent to a separation.</p> - -<p>The stories on this subject are of infinite variety, nor will a -well practised story-teller give any tale twice in the same words, -or with the same incidents.</p> - -<p>Moollāh Adeenah, the story-teller to his majesty, of whom I -shall have occasion to speak hereafter, told me, that he considered -it as much as his head was worth to tell a tale twice without -variations to the king of kings.</p> - -<p>"Besides my own invention," said he, "I have a great book, -containing anecdotes on all subjects, and an infinite quantity of -amusing matter, which I select at pleasure, and adapt my story -to the circumstances of the moment, and to the characters of -those who form my audience."</p> - -<p>There are no tales in Persia that undergo more changes than -those which relate to divorces. The different sects of Mahomedans -hold different doctrines on this head, and the story-teller must -not offend any of his auditors. Besides, there is often a fear of -personal allusions, which compels him to remove his characters -from one country to another, to keep them out of harm's way; -as my Uncle Toby advised Trim to do with his giants, in that -best of all good stories, "The King of Bohemia and his seven -Castles."</p> - -<p>I have heard a celebrated story of a merchant called Hajee -Sālah Kej-Khoolk, the cross-grained, told in four or five different -ways, and particularly that incident in his life relating to his -having, in one of those bursts of passion to which he was liable, -divorced, for the third time, a beautiful young female of high -rank, whose parents this old, ugly, ill-humoured, wealthy man, -had bribed, by settling a large dowry upon her.</p> - -<p>According to the edition of this tale, which will serve as a -specimen of those grounded on divorces, the old Hajee was at the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_176" id="Page_176">[176]</a></span> -town of Nishāpoor in Khorassan, when in a violent fit of rage he -pronounced the last divorce upon the lady, whose name was -Maidee.</p> - -<p>She immediately left his house and went to her parents. They, -though moved at first by the tears with which she implored them -to assist her in resisting all proposals for a re-union with a husband -whom she abhorred, soon gave way to the worldly motives -which induced them to desire her return to a person who was -continually making them presents, and who was now more -generous than ever, in the hope of inducing them to promote his -interests with one of whom, notwithstanding his conduct, he was -distractedly fond.</p> - -<p>Maidee seeing no other opportunity of escape from the continued -importunities to which she was exposed, listened to the -proposals made through the old nurse, of a youth of the name of -Omar, who, though poor, was of a respectable family, and whose -sister was one of the wives of the governor of the town. This -sister had seen Maidee at the public bath, and it was the account -which she gave of her surprising beauty and great dower that -determined Omar to try every means to make her his wife.</p> - -<p>The good nurse, who was attached to the family of Omar, -painted his personal appearance and qualities to Maidee in such -colours, that she was quite willing to allow him to be the instrument -of her deliverance. The plot was soon settled; Maidee, -with affected reluctance, consented to the proposals of Hajee -Sālah for a re-union, provided the person chosen to be her -husband for twenty-four hours was of respectable family and -good appearance. These conditions she insisted upon as indispensable -to her reputation. Besides she now also pretended -that absence had revived her regard for the old Hajee, and she -desired the merit of showing (by the sacrifice of a husband whom -many might prefer to him) that her attachment was sincere.</p> - -<p>The old merchant, in raptures at the prospect of repossessing -his favourite, agreed to all she proposed. An agent was immediately -appointed to look out for a person of the description she -desired, but whose circumstances were such as to make him -consent to act the discreditable part of a convenient husband.</p> - -<p>Omar threw himself in the way of this agent, and contrived to -utter in his hearing boastings of his family, complaints of his<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_177" id="Page_177">[177]</a></span> -relatives, and of the consequent poverty and despair to which he -was reduced. "If I had been a dishonourable fellow," said he -(speaking to a companion, but loud enough for the agent to hear), -"and one that could have consented to break my pledged word, -I might have made my fortune; but, thank God, I am not such -a man: I would embrace ruin, and encounter death a thousand -times before I would depart from or violate any promise I had -made. I have made up my mind to leave Nishāpoor; why -should I remain? I know not that I shall have a morsel to eat -to-morrow." So saying he abruptly quitted his friend, and -walked down the street. He was followed by the agent, who -saw, in the respectability of his family, his poverty, and above -all his determined adherence to his word, the very person of -whom he was in search.</p> - -<p>Omar stopped under some trees at the skirts of the town, where -the agent came up to him. "A fine evening," said the latter. -"I am indifferent as to the state of the weather," replied the -apparently agitated Omar. "You seem to have some distress -of mind?" "That cannot concern you," said the youth. "You -know not," said the wily agent; "aid often comes through means -the least expected: if you confide your griefs to me, humble as I -appear, I may be able to administer relief." This and some -more soothing speeches led Omar with apparent reluctance to -open his heart and relate his story.</p> - -<p>He was, he told the agent, the youngest son of a Tūrkūmān -chief, well known in the plains of Kipchāk. He had lately offended -his father, by refusing to reveal the place of concealment -of a man to whom he had promised protection, and was therefore -banished from his presence. He had made an offer of his services at -Nishāpoor; but after these were accepted, he had been compelled -to abandon this prospect, and to part with his horse, his sword, -and all he possessed in the world, rather than violate a pledge -he had given to an unfortunate friend, whose debts he had -just paid by expending the last dinar he had in the world. -"But," he added, "to-morrow's sun will not find me in Nishāpoor; I -shall trust my stars to guide me to some land where I -may be more fortunate."</p> - -<p>The agent praised his high sense of honour; and, after much -circumlocution, proposed to present him with a hundred tomans,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_178" id="Page_178">[178]</a></span> -provided he would consent to marry the beautiful Maidee one -day, divorce her the next, and instantly quit the country never -to return.</p> - -<p>Omar pretended at first to be highly indignant at a proposal -which he thought derogatory to his honour: but his scruples were -gradually removed, and he at length took the money and pledged -that word and honour, which had hitherto been his ruin, that he -would do everything which was required.</p> - -<p>No time was lost in preparing the contract of marriage; the -nuptials were celebrated with all due ceremony, and the new-married -couple remained alone in a house in a retired part of -the town, which had been prepared for them. When Maidee -was unveiled, her beauty far exceeded all that the imagination of -Omar had dared to depict her. He was in raptures, and she was -equally enchanted with him. They mutually vowed that whatever -was the success of their plan, no power should ever separate -them.</p> - -<p>The dawn of the following morning found Hajee Sālah at the -door, anxious to abridge the happiness of the lovers as much as -the law would permit. He had knocked several times and -called to the inmates without receiving any answer, when he was -nearly stunned by a blow on the head, and turning round, saw a -savage looking Tūrkūmān mounted on a large horse, armed with -a long spear, with the shaft of which he had inflicted the blow. -"Hold my horse," said the fellow as he dismounted, "while I go -into the house." "You have two hands, you old rascal," said -another savage, giving him a second blow, and making him hold -the horse on which he rode. Before the poor Hajee could -recover from his surprise, a party of twenty Tūrkūmāns, with -their chief, were around him. He showed an intention of -escaping, but that only produced an order for his being put -to death if he attempted to move from the spot.</p> - -<p>"Where is the darling boy?" exclaimed the chief; "I have -forgiven him all: I long to clasp him in my arms!" "Renowned -Kādir Beg," said one of his followers, who had just -come out of the house, "you have more to forgive than you are -aware of; your son is married." "Married!" exclaimed the -old chief. "Is the blood of the first race on the plains of -Kipchāk contaminated? Has he married the daughter of a<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_179" id="Page_179">[179]</a></span> -citizen of Nishāpoor?" "No," said the man, "she belongs to -a family of rank; she is beautiful as the full moon, and has -besides a rich dower; having been divorced, in a fit of passion, -by an ill-tempered wealthy old merchant, who was wholly unworthy -of her, but who threatens to take this inestimable pearl -from your highness's son Omar Beg."</p> - -<p>"Where is the old villain," said the chief, "that dares -to claim any one whom I protect?" and he struck his spear on -the ground in a rage that made Hajee Sālah tremble for his life; -"but let me see and embrace my long lost boy." He went into -the house, but soon returning, directed two of his finest led -horses to be brought to the door, on one of which Omar was -mounted, and on the other his bride; and away they rode at -full speed.</p> - -<p>Three men were left behind; two remained in the house; and -the third guarded Hajee Sālah, who stood trembling and holding -the two horses, inwardly cursing himself and his agent for -selecting a wild Tūrkūmān as a convenient bridegroom to -a beautiful Persian lady.</p> - -<p>After a delay of some hours the Tūrkūmāns followed their -companions. The house at which this scene occurred had been -so cautiously selected by Hajee Sālah to avoid observation, that -nobody observed what was passing. The moment he was -relieved he ran to the palace of the governor, calling aloud for -justice. The governor had gone a hunting, and was not expected -till night. When he returned he was so fatigued that he -could not be seen till next day. Then so many proofs were required, -and so many delays took place, that the Hajee began to -suspect the ruler of the city was in league with the Tūrkūmān -chief. But when he afterwards learnt that the whole was a contrivance, -that Omar's sister was the wife of the governor, and -that the parents of Maidee had been reconciled to the marriage, -all hope of redress vanished, and he immediately left Nishāpoor, -amid the laughter of high and low, for all seemed equally -delighted at what had happened to Hajee Sālah, the cross-grained. -His name has ever since been recorded in story, as an -example of the fate which awaits age and ill temper when they -aspire to possess youth and beauty, without knowing how to appreciate -and guard such blessings, when they have obtained them.</p> - -<div class="footnotes"><h3>FOOTNOTES:</h3> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_99_99" id="Footnote_99_99"></a><a href="#FNanchor_99_99"><span class="label">[99]</span></a> Fatima-ool-Masoomah.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_100_100" id="Footnote_100_100"></a><a href="#FNanchor_100_100"><span class="label">[100]</span></a> This phrase is applied to those slaves acquired in wars with infidels.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_101_101" id="Footnote_101_101"></a><a href="#FNanchor_101_101"><span class="label">[101]</span></a> Tripoli in Syria: the Christians must have been some of the Crusaders.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_102_102" id="Footnote_102_102"></a><a href="#FNanchor_102_102"><span class="label">[102]</span></a> The same principle which subjects slaves to only half punishment for -crimes, renders them liable to less suffering from the caprice of the man who -marries them. The husband should, strictly speaking, only have the power -to pronounce one divorce and a half on a slave: but the fraction puzzled the -doctors of the law, and they have agreed it should be two divorces.</p></div></div> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_180" id="Page_180">[180]</a></span></p> - - -<h2>CHAPTER XVI.</h2> - -<blockquote> - -<p>Departure from Koom—Pool-e-Dellāk—Deryā-e-Kebeer—Valley of the -Shadow of Death—Story of a Ghool—Remarks on Persian Poetry.</p></blockquote> - - -<p>From the city of Koom we proceeded to Sooltāneah, where the -king was encamped; but I cannot allow my reader to arrive at -that place before he has accompanied me to Teheran with the -first mission, and heard the account of its reception, and a -description of Fettih Ali Shāh and his court, before these -became familiar with envoys and travellers from Calcutta, -London, Paris, and St. Petersburgh.</p> - -<p>Our first stage towards Teheran was to a place called -Pool-e-Dellāk, or the Barber's Bridge; which, according to the -tale of those who lived at the village in the vicinity, was built by -the barber of Shāh Abbas the Great, to save others from a -danger which he himself narrowly escaped, of being drowned -when crossing this river.</p> - -<p>This munificent barber, we were informed, was very wealthy, -as many of his profession are in Persia. Their skill in shaving -the heads and trimming the beards of kings and nobles, though -highly prized, is subordinate to that which they display as -attendants at the warm bath. It is on their superior address in -rubbing, pinching, joint-cracking, and cleansing the human -frame at the hummums that their fame is established. The -luxury of the bath in Persia is enjoyed by all, from the highest -to the lowest. These baths are always good, and often splendid -buildings. They are sought by the lower classes as essential to -health in persons who seldom wear, and when they do, seldomer -change their under garments. The higher ranks indulge in them -to still greater excess, and in their progress through the various -apartments of graduated heat, from the outer saloon to the houz -or fountain of the inner bath, they are waited upon by different<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_181" id="Page_181">[181]</a></span> -domestics, who, besides aiding to undress and dress them, serve -them with every species of refreshment. Among these attendants -the man of most consequence is the dellāk or barber. For he -who has the honour to bathe and shave a king must not only be -perfect in his art, but also a man altogether trustworthy; and confidence -amongst eastern rulers is usually followed by favour, and -with favour comes fortune. This accounts for barbers building -bridges in Persia!</p> - -<p>I was one day speaking to my friend Meerzā Aga of the munificence -of the barber of the great Abbas, in a manner which -implied doubt of the fact. He observed he knew not whether -the barbers of the Seffavean monarchs built bridges, but "I do -know," he said, "that the Khāsterāsh (literally personal shaver) -of our present sovereign has, in the abundance of his wealth, -built a palace for himself close to the royal bath at Teheran. -Then," said the good Meerzā, "he is entitled to riches, for he is -a man of pre-eminent excellence in his art, and has had for a long -period under his special care the magnificent beard of his -majesty, which is at this moment, and has been for years, the -pride of Persia."</p> - -<p>"Well," I replied, "if your personal shaver has built such a -mansion, I will no longer doubt the wealth of the barber of -Shāh Abbas, for that monarch, though he wore no beard, had, we -are told by travellers, and observe from paintings, a noble pair of -mustachoes, of which he is said to have been very proud; and -the trimmer of which no doubt was, as he deserved to be, a great -favourite."</p> - -<p>This conversation led to a long dissertation on mustachoes and -beards, upon which subject my travels to countries that my -Persian friends had never seen enabled me to give them much -useful information.</p> - -<p>I told them many stories about the Sikhs, a nation dwelling -between the territories of Cabool and India, who, devoting their -beards and whiskers to the goddess of destruction, are always -prompt to destroy any one who meddles with them; and who, -from a combined feeling of religion and honour, look upon the -preservation of life itself as slight in comparison with the preservation -of a hair of their beards.</p> - -<p>I next informed them how beards, whiskers, and mustachoes<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_182" id="Page_182">[182]</a></span> -were once honoured in Europe. I told them an anecdote of the -great John De Castro, a former governor of Goa, the capital of -the Portuguese possessions in India. He being in want of a considerable -loan from the citizens of Goa for a military expedition, -was at a loss for an adequate security<a name="FNanchor_103_103" id="FNanchor_103_103"></a><a href="#Footnote_103_103" class="fnanchor">[103]</a>. His first intention was -to pledge the bones of his gallant son Don Fernando, who had -recently fallen in battle; but finding, on opening the grave, that -the carcass was putrid, he offered, as next dear to his personal -honour, a lock of his cherished mustachoes. This security was -accepted, but immediately returned with more than the amount -required; young and old vying with each other who should show -most respect to so valuable a pledge.</p> - -<p>The Persians of my audience twisted their mustachoes with a -combined feeling of pleasure and pride on hearing this testimony -to the value of that ornament of the visage; and Khan Sāhib, -who was one of the party, said to me with a smile, "You gentlemen -with the mission wear mustachoes in compliance with the -prejudices of the Persians; but is it true that many officers of -your cavalry now wear them, and that they are again likely to -become popular in England?" I said, perhaps they might; -adding, I had no doubt that would be the case, if there appeared -the slightest chance of their ever turning to account in the money-market, -like those of John de Castro.</p> - -<p>But I must quit this curious and interesting subject to proceed -with my narration. At Pool-e-Dellāk the Elchee received letters -from the prime minister Hajee Ibrahim, congratulating him -upon his near approach to the capital. "My house," the Hajee -wrote, "is assigned for your residence; and I am to be honoured -by having you as my guest as long as you remain at the abode -of sovereignty."</p> - -<p>The minister also addressed letters to the mehmandar and to -the secretaries of the Elchee, to inquire the exact time of his -intended entry into Teheran, and to learn the hours at which he -took his meals, the dishes of which he was fondest, and every -other minute particular that could enable him to perform the -task he had undertaken to his own satisfaction and that of the -king, whom he represented as very anxious that every thing -should be done to honour and please the British representatives.</p> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_183" id="Page_183">[183]</a></span></p> -<p>From the Barber's Bridge to our next stage was nearly fifty -miles. We crossed a salt desert,<a name="FNanchor_104_104" id="FNanchor_104_104"></a><a href="#Footnote_104_104" class="fnanchor">[104]</a> which Hajee Hoosein informed -me, as he handed me the long snake of the kelliān, was once a -sea; but at the birth of Mahomed it dried up, and thus became -one of the many miracles to testify the importance to the world -of that auspicious event.</p> - -<p>The change of surface, from a crust of white clay impregnated -with salt, to a stony plain, indicated that we had passed the desert. -We immediately afterwards came to a rugged and broken road, -through the most frightful precipices and ravines I had ever seen. -"I wish these ravines had been made smooth at your prophet's -birth," I said to my friend the Hajee, who continued riding along -with me. "Here also," said he, in a half alarmed voice, "a -miracle was effected, but it was not completed. This dreadful -place is called the 'Valley of the Angel of Death.'<a name="FNanchor_105_105" id="FNanchor_105_105"></a><a href="#Footnote_105_105" class="fnanchor">[105]</a> That -terrific minister of God's wrath, according to tradition, has resting-places -upon the earth, and this is one of his favourite abodes. -He is surrounded by ghools, horrid beings, who, when he takes -away life, feast upon the carcasses.</p> - -<p>"The natural shape of these monsters," said Hajee Hoosein, -"is terrible; but they can assume those of animals, such as cows -or camels, or whatever they choose, often appearing to men as -their relations or friends, and then they do not only transform -their shapes, but their voices also are altered. The frightful -screams and yells, which are often heard amid these dreaded -ravines, are changed for the softest and most melodious notes; -unwary travellers, deluded by the appearance of friends, or captivated -by the forms, and charmed by the music, of these demons, -are allured from their path, and after feasting for a few hours on -every luxury, are consigned to destruction.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_184" id="Page_184">[184]</a></span></p> - -<p>"The number of these ghools," said the Hajee, "has greatly -decreased since the birth of the prophet, and they have no power -to hurt those who pronounce his name in sincerity of faith. But, -what is that?" said he, spurring his horse, and upsetting the top -of the kullean which he had in his hand, while he repeated aloud -the name of Mahomet, which now resounded through the line. -I was myself not a little startled at seeing a camel, which is one -of the shapes the ghools take, but found, on recovering from my -momentary alarm, that it was one of our own, which, trying to -pass a little to the right of our path, had fallen over a precipice -with its load.</p> - -<p>When the Hajee rejoined me, he was far from being convinced -that the camel which had fallen was the same he had at first seen. -"It was probable," he said, "that a ghool, by the shape he -assumed, had enticed our animal to follow him, and the latter -would certainly have been lost but for my presence of mind and -timely exclamations. These creatures," he added, "are the very -lowest of the supernatural world, and, besides being timid, are -extremely stupid, and consequently often imposed upon by artful -men. I will recount you," he said, "a story that is well authenticated, -to prove that what I say is just." I told him I was all -attention, and he commenced his tale.</p> - -<p>"You know," said he, "that the natives of Isfahan, though -not brave, are the most crafty and acute people upon earth, and -often supply the want of courage by their address. An inhabitant -of that city was once compelled to travel alone at night through -this dreadful valley. He was a man of ready wit, and fond of -adventures, and, though no lion, had great confidence in his -cunning, which had brought him through a hundred scrapes and -perils that would have embarrassed or destroyed your simple man -of valour.</p> - -<p>"This man, whose name was Ameen Beg, had heard many -stories of the ghools of the 'Valley of the Angel of Death,' and -thought it likely he might meet one. He prepared accordingly, -by putting an egg and a lump of salt in his pocket. He had not -gone far amidst the rocks we have just passed, when he heard a -voice crying 'Holloa, Ameen Beg Isfahānee! you are going the -wrong road, you will lose yourself; come this way; I am your -friend Kerreem Beg; I know your father, old Kerbela Beg, and -the street in which you were born.' Ameen knew well the power -the ghools had of assuming the shape of any person they choose;<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_185" id="Page_185">[185]</a></span> -and he also knew their skill as genealogists, and their knowledge -of towns as well as families; he had therefore little doubt this -was one of those creatures alluring him to destruction. He, -however, determined to encounter him, and trust to his art for -his escape.</p> - -<p>"'Stop, my friend, till I come near you,' was his reply. When -Ameen came close to the Ghool, he said, 'You are not my friend -Kerreem, you are a lying demon, but you are just the being I -desired to meet. I have tried my strength against all the men -and all the beasts which exist in the natural world, and I can -find nothing that is a match for me. I came therefore to this -valley in the hope of encountering a ghool, that I might prove -my prowess upon him.'</p> - -<p>"The Ghool, astonished at being addressed in this manner, -looked keenly at him, and said, 'Son of Adam, you do not appear -so strong.' 'Appearances are deceitful,' replied Ameen, 'but I -will give you a proof of my strength. There,' said he, picking -up a stone from a rivulet, 'this contains a fluid; try if you can so -squeeze it, that it will flow out.' The Ghool took the stone, but -after a short attempt returned it, saying 'the thing is impossible.' -'Quite easy,' said the Isfahānee, taking the stone and placing it -in the hand in which he had before put the egg: 'Look there!' -and the astonished Ghool, while he heard what he took for the -breaking of the stone, saw the liquid run from between Ameen's -fingers, and this apparently without any effort.</p> - -<p>"Ameen, aided by the darkness, placed the stone upon the -ground while he picked up another of a darker hue. 'This,' -said he, 'I can see contains salt, as you will find if you can -crumble it between your fingers;' but the Ghool looking at it -confessed he had neither knowledge to discover its qualities, nor -strength to break it. 'Give it me,' said his companion impatiently, -and having put it into the same hand with the piece -of salt, he instantly gave the latter all crushed to the Ghool, -who seeing it reduced to powder, tasted it, and remained in -stupid astonishment at the skill and strength of this wonderful -man. Neither was he without alarm lest his strength should be -exerted against himself, and he saw no safety in resorting to the -shape of a beast, for Ameen had warned him, that if he commenced<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_186" id="Page_186">[186]</a></span> -any such unfair dealing, he would instantly slay him; -for ghools, though long-lived, are not immortal.</p> - -<p>"Under such circumstances he thought his best plan was to -conciliate the friendship of his new companion, till he found an -opportunity of destroying him.</p> - -<p>"'Most wonderful man,' he said, 'will you honour my -abode with your presence; it is quite at hand: there you -will find every refreshment; and after a comfortable night's -rest you can resume your journey.'</p> - -<p>"'I have no objection, friend Ghool, to accept your offer; -but mark me, I am, in the first place, very passionate, and must -not be provoked by any expressions which are in the least disrespectful; -and in the second, I am full of penetration, and can -see through your designs as clearly as I saw into that hard stone -in which I discovered salt; so take care you entertain none that -are wicked, or you shall suffer.'</p> - -<p>"The Ghool declared that the ear of his guest should be -pained by no expression to which it did not befit his dignity to -listen; and he swore by the head of his liege lord, the Angel of -Death, that he would faithfully respect the rights of hospitality -and friendship.</p> - -<p>"Thus satisfied, Ameen followed the Ghool through a -number of crooked paths, rugged cliffs, and deep ravines, till -they came to a large cave, which was dimly lighted. 'Here,' -said the Ghool, 'I dwell, and here my friend will find all he can -want for refreshment and repose.' So saying, he led him to -various apartments, in which were hoarded every species of -grain, and all kinds of merchandise, plundered from travellers -who had been deluded to this den, and of whose fate Ameen was -too well informed by the bones over which he now and then -stumbled, and by the putrid smell produced by some half consumed -carcasses.</p> - -<p>"'This will be sufficient for your supper, I hope,' said the -Ghool, taking up a large bag of rice; 'a man of your prowess -must have a tolerable appetite.' 'True,' said Ameen, 'but I -eat a sheep and as much rice as you have there before I proceeded -on my journey. I am, consequently, not hungry, but -will take a little lest I offend your hospitality.' 'I must boil it<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_187" id="Page_187">[187]</a></span> -for you,' said the demon; 'you do not eat grain and meat raw, as -we do. Here is a kettle,' said he, taking up one lying amongst -the plundered property. 'I will go and get wood for a fire, -while you fetch water with that,' pointing to a bag made of the -hides of six oxen.</p> - -<p>"Ameen waited till he saw his host leave the cave for the -wood, and then with great difficulty he dragged the enormous -bag to the bank of a dark stream which issued from the rocks at -the other end of the cavern, and after being visible for a few -yards disappeared under ground.</p> - -<p>"How shall I, thought Ameen, prevent my weakness being -discovered; this bag I could hardly manage when empty, when -full it would require twenty strong men to carry it; what shall -I do? I shall certainly be eaten up by this cannibal Ghool, -who is now only kept in order by the impression of my great -strength. After some minutes' reflection, the Isfahānee thought -of a scheme, and began digging a small channel from the stream, -towards the place where his supper was preparing.</p> - -<p>"'What are you doing?' vociferated the Ghool, as he advanced -towards him; 'I sent you for water to boil a little rice -and you have been an hour about it. Cannot you fill the bag -and bring it away?' 'Certainly I can,' said Ameen. 'If I -were content, after all your kindness, to show my gratitude -merely by feats of brute strength, I could lift your stream if you -had a bag large enough to hold it; but here,' said he, pointing -to the channel he had begun, 'here is the commencement of a -work in which the mind of a man is employed to lessen the -labour of his body. This canal, small as it may appear, will -carry a stream to the other end of the cave, in which I will -construct a dam that you can open and shut at pleasure, and -thereby save yourself infinite trouble in fetching water. -But pray let me alone till it is finished,' and he began to dig. -'Nonsense,' said the Ghool, seizing the bag and filling it; 'I -will carry the water myself, and I advise you to leave off your -canal, as you call it, and follow me, that you may eat your -supper and go to sleep; you may finish this fine work if you -like it to-morrow morning.'</p> - -<p>"Ameen congratulated himself on this escape, and was not -slow in taking the advice of his host. After having eat heartily<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_188" id="Page_188">[188]</a></span> -of the supper that was prepared, he went to repose on a bed made -of the richest coverlets and pillows, which were taken from one -of the store-rooms of plundered goods. The Ghool, whose -bed was also in the cave, had no sooner laid down than he fell -into a sound sleep. The anxiety of Ameen's mind prevented him -from following his example: he rose gently, and having stuffed -a long pillow into the middle of this bed, to make it appear as if -he were still there, he retired to a concealed place in the cavern to -watch the proceedings of the Ghool. The latter awoke a short -time before daylight, and rising, went, without making any -noise, towards Ameen's bed, where not observing the least stir, -he was satisfied that his guest was in a deep sleep, so he took up -one of his walking sticks, which was in size like the trunk of a -tree, and struck a terrible blow at what he supposed to be -Ameen's head. He smiled not to hear a groan, thinking he had -deprived him of life; but to make sure of his work, he repeated -the blow seven times. He then returned to rest, but had hardly -settled himself to sleep, when Ameen, who had crept into the -bed, raised his head above the clothes and exclaimed, 'Friend -Ghool, what insect could it be that has disturbed me by its -tapping? I counted the flap of its little wings seven times on -the coverlet. These vermin are very annoying, for though -they cannot hurt a man, they disturb his rest!'</p> - -<p>"The Ghool's dismay on hearing Ameen speak at all was -great, but that was increased to perfect fright when he heard -him describe seven blows, any one of which would have felled an -elephant, as seven flaps of an insect's wing. There was no -safety, he thought, near so wonderful a man, and he soon afterwards -arose and fled from the cave, leaving the Isfahānee its sole -master.</p> - -<p>"When Ameen found his host gone, he was at no loss to conjecture -the cause, and immediately began to survey the treasures -with which he was surrounded, and to contrive means for removing -them to his home.</p> - -<p>"After examining the contents of the cave, and arming himself -with a matchlock, which had belonged to some victim of the -Ghool, he proceeded to survey the road. He had, however only -gone a short distance when he saw the Ghool returning with a -large club in his hand, and accompanied by a fox. Ameen's<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_189" id="Page_189">[189]</a></span> -knowledge of the cunning animal instantly led him to suspect -that it had undeceived his enemy, but his presence of mind did -not forsake him. 'Take that,' said he to the fox, aiming a ball -at him from his matchlock, and shooting him through the head; -'take that for your not performing my orders. That brute,' -said he, 'promised to bring me seven ghools, that I might chain -them, and carry them to Isfahan, and here he has only brought -you, who are already my slave.' So saying, he advanced towards -the Ghool; but the latter had already taken to flight, and -by the aid of his club bounded so rapidly over rocks and precipices, -that he was soon out of sight.</p> - -<p>"Ameen having well marked the path from the cavern to the -road, went to the nearest town and hired camels and mules to -remove the property he had acquired. After making restitution -to all who remained alive to prove their goods, he became, from -what was unclaimed, a man of wealth, all of which was owing -to that wit and art which ever overcome brute strength and -courage."</p> - -<p>I was pleased with this tale, first as it bore so near a resemblance -to some parts of my earliest favourite, Jack the Giant -Killer; and next as the last incident of the fox bringing back -the Ghool was an exact copy of the story of the Goat and the -Lion in the celebrated Hindu work, the Pancha Tantra.</p> - -<p>The goat, according to the Hindu tale, took shelter during a -storm in the den of a lion; when he saw no chance of escape, he -terrified the king of the beasts by boasting of a celestial origin, -and telling him he had been condemned before he could return -to Heaven to eat ten elephants, ten tigers, and ten lions. He -had, he said, eaten every kind of animal but the lion; and saying -this, he marched up to the astonished monster, who fled by a -back way from his den. The lion in his flight met a fox, and -described to him the appearance of the goat (an animal he had -never seen before), his horns, his strange beard, and above all, -his boasting language. The fox laughed, and told his majesty -how he had been tricked. They went back together, and met -the goat at the entrance of the den. The latter at once saw his -danger, but his wits did not forsake him. "What conduct is -this, you scoundrel?" said he to the fox: "I commanded you to -get ten lions, and here you have only brought me one;" so<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_190" id="Page_190">[190]</a></span> -saying, he advanced boldly, and the lion, again frightened by his -words and actions, fled in terror, allowing the goat to return -quietly to his home.</p> - -<p>I narrated this story to my Persian friend, saying, "This -proves to me what I have long conjectured, that the greater part -of your tales are taken literally from the Hindus." "Is it not -as likely they have been stolen from us?" was his reply. "No," -said I; "for their works in which these tales are written are -much older than any you have." "That may be," said he, "but -they are not older than Keiomerth, Housheng, or Jemsheed. -These were the glorious days of Persia, and no doubt it was in -their time the wily Hindus stole our stories; and if our conquering -swords have since made us masters of India, and we -have plundered a few tales along with other articles, why we -have only recovered our own."</p> - -<p>Khan Sāhib, who had been riding along with us, smoking his -kelliān, but who had not as yet spoken a word, now, with much -gravity, took up the conversation. "I have listened," said he, -"with great attention to Hajee Hoosein's most wonderful tale of -the Ghool, and," addressing me, "to your supplement about a -goat, a fox, and a lion. I shall store what I have heard in my -memory for the benefit of my excellent grandmother, whom it -is my duty to amuse. These tales shall also be given word -for word to my little children, who will no doubt be as much -delighted as I have been, to hear how a stupid monster was outwitted -by a lying rogue, and how an impudent goat frightened a -valiant lion."</p> - -<p>"The dispute," said Khan Sāhib, "regarding the invention -of such sublime productions, no doubt involves matter -deeply associated with the fame of the renowned empires of -India and Persia; and, in the present dearth of that article, -I do think they are right in claiming all they can for their -ancestors."</p> - -<p>"I quite understand, my good friend," said I, "the contempt -you bestow upon the nursery tales with which the Hajee and I -have been entertaining each other; but, believe me, he who -desires to be well acquainted with a people will not reject their -popular stories or local superstitions. Depend upon it, that man -is too far advanced into an artificial state of society who is a<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_191" id="Page_191">[191]</a></span> -stranger to the effects which tales and stories like these have -upon the feelings of a nation; and his opinions of its character -are never likely to be more erroneous than when, in the pride of -reason, he despises such means of forming his judgment."</p> - -<p>"Well, well," said Khan Sāhib, "there may be some truth in -what you say; and I am the more inclined to believe it, as all -the learning and philosophy which my good father endeavoured -to instil into me never wholly eradicated my early predilection -for such stories. I wish not to dispute the claim of our Indian -neighbours to the merit of inventing those maxims of wisdom, -which have been delivered to posterity through the mouths of -cats, monkeys, goats, parrots, foxes, jackalls, and lions. But," -added he, "as far as the reputation of the creative genius of -Persia is concerned, I shall remain content with the wonders of -the Shāh-nāmeh, told as they are in the language of the immortal -Firdousee."</p> - -<p>Though I could not give up my fondness for fables, I was -quite ready to concur with my friend in his admiration of Firdousee, -and nothing more was necessary to make him dilate upon -this favourite work. His memory is extraordinary; and while I -listened with pleasure to his recitation of several of the most -ancient, and at the same time most beautiful passages of Persian -poetry, I was instructed by his critical remarks, for he combines, -with a knowledge of the European taste for simplicity, a love -for Asiatic splendour of diction; and is particularly versed in -those allusions in which their poetry abounds. He recited to me, -from the Shāh-nāmeh, the greater part of the episode of the combats -between Roostem and his unknown son Soohrāb.</p> - -<p>This episode, in the first lines of which the poet tells his -reader, "It is a tale full of the waters of the eye,"<a name="FNanchor_106_106" id="FNanchor_106_106"></a><a href="#Footnote_106_106" class="fnanchor">[106]</a> is perhaps -one of the greatest efforts of Firdousee's genius; and he rises -even above himself in the relation of the death of Soohrāb and -the insanity of his distracted mother.</p> - -<p>The effect produced on the unhappy princess by the account -of her son's death is instantaneous. She sets fire to her palace, -desiring, when he who constituted her sole object in life was -gone, to perish amid that splendour, which she salued on his -account alone. Torn from the flames by her attendants, she -commanded them to bring the body of her son, his horse, his -arms, and his clothes.</p> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_192" id="Page_192">[192]</a></span></p> -<p>"She kissed the horse's forehead, she bathed its hoofs with her -tears; she clothed herself in the blood-stained garments of her -son, she drew his bow, she wielded his lance, his sword, and his -mace; and these fond and frantic actions were continued till -nature was overpowered, and the distracted mother departed to -join her beloved Soohrāb."</p> - -<p>No translation in verse can convey to the mere English reader -any just impression of the whole poem of the Shāh-nāmeh. The -idiom in which it is written, and the allusions and metaphors -with which it abounds, are too foreign to our language and taste -to admit of success in such an undertaking; but a prose translation -of this great work is a desideratum, and select passages might -bear a poetical form. He, however, who attempts such a task, -will not be successful unless possessed of a genius that raises him -above the mechanical effort of a versifier. If ever such a translator -devote himself to the beauties of this poem, he will find -much to gratify himself and others.</p> - -<p>I have before given a specimen of Firdousee's power in describing -a battle; but though this is a species of composition in -which the Persians consider him to excel, I have been more -pleased with him when he strikes a softer and more harmonious -note. His tales of love are often delightful, and nothing can -exceed some of his descriptions of scenery.</p> - -<p>I had long entertained this opinion, but was confirmed in it by -a passage which Khan Sāhib recited to me, after concluding the -story of Soohrāb. It was an account of the events which took -place when Siyāvesh was nominated by Afrāsiāb to govern the -empire of Cheen. The young prince, anxious to enjoy with his -beautiful bride Feeringheesh every luxury which this world -could afford, sent persons in every direction over his extensive -territories, to select the most agreeable and salubrious spot, that -he might there fix his residence. The choice fell upon the city -of Kung, which is represented to be a perfect terrestrial paradise. -One line in the description of this favoured spot struck me as an -instance of the power of a poet to seize the finest shades of distinction -that belong to language, and to convey by such terms<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_193" id="Page_193">[193]</a></span> -the most correct idea to the mind. Speaking of the climate of -Kung, Firdousee says,</p> - -<div class="poem"> -"Its warmth was not heat, and its coolness was not cold."<a name="FNanchor_107_107" id="FNanchor_107_107"></a><a href="#Footnote_107_107" class="fnanchor">[107]</a><br /> -</div> - -<p>I expressed to Khan Sāhib my admiration of this line, adding -my regret that a poet who could write with such simplicity and -beauty should indulge so often in forced metaphor, and hyperbolical -phrases.</p> - -<p>"Why," said my little friend, "I really think your quarrelling -with Firdousee, because he wrote according to the taste of the -nation to which he belonged, is something like finding fault with -the Persians because they do not wear cocked hats and tight -pantaloons, instead of lamb's-wool caps and loose trowsers. They -delight, and ever have done, in those conceits and images which -offend you." "But yet," said I, "Sādee is a great favourite, -and he is almost always simple and clear in his style."</p> - -<p>"Sādee," said Khan Sāhib, "has, as you state, a great reputation -in Persia, but it is rather as a wise man and a moralist, than -a poet. He seeks by fiction to adorn, not encumber truth; and -the admiration of his reader is invariably given to the sentiment -more than to the language in which it is clothed.</p> - -<p>"As a proof," continued my friend, "that this is just, let us -take two stanzas. In the first of these Sādee thus describes -himself:</p> - -<div class="poem"> -'The snows of age rest upon my head,<br /> -Yet my disposition still makes me young.'<a name="FNanchor_108_108" id="FNanchor_108_108"></a><a href="#Footnote_108_108" class="fnanchor">[108]</a><br /> -</div> - -<p>In these lines, marked as they are by simplicity and beauty, -the thought, not the expression, is what we most admire. In the -second, when addressing sovereigns, he says,</p> - -<div class="poem"> -'Be merciful, and learn to conquer without an army<br /> -Seize upon the hearts of mankind, and be acknowledged the world's conqueror.'<a name="FNanchor_109_109" id="FNanchor_109_109"></a><a href="#Footnote_109_109" class="fnanchor">[109]</a><br /> -</div> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_194" id="Page_194">[194]</a></span></p> - -<p>The boldness and sublimity of the lesson conveyed in this -couplet predominates over the poetry, and this is the case -throughout the works of Sādee. How different are the sweet and -musical strains of Hāfiz! whose whole fame rests upon the creative -fancy of his imagination, and the easy flow of his numbers. -He delights us by the very scorn with which he rejects all sobriety -of thought, and all continuity of subject. As a poet he is one -of the first favourites of his countrymen, whose enthusiastic admiration -is given to passages in his works that your taste would -condemn; for instance, when referring to the fiction which -relates that the tulip first sprung up in the soil which was moistened -with the blood of Ferhād, the celebrated lover of Sheereen, -he says,</p> - -<div class="poem"> -'Perhaps the tulip feared the evils of destiny,<br /> -Thence, while it lives, it bears the wine-goblet on its stalk.'<a name="FNanchor_110_110" id="FNanchor_110_110"></a><a href="#Footnote_110_110" class="fnanchor">[110]</a><br /> -</div> - -<p>"No conceit can be more fanciful, and you will perhaps add, -more extravagant; but this stanza is most particularly admired -by the Persians, much more so than a succeeding one in the -same ode, where the poet, with a simplicity and feeling that will -delight you, gives the reason for not having left his native place.</p> - -<div class="poem"> -'They will not allow me to proceed upon my travels,<br /> -Those gentle gales of Mosellįy,<br /> -That limpid stream of Rooknābād.'<a name="FNanchor_111_111" id="FNanchor_111_111"></a><a href="#Footnote_111_111" class="fnanchor">[111]</a><br /> -</div> - -<p>"Hāfiz," said Khan Sāhib, "has the singular good fortune of -being alike praised by saints and sinners. His odes are sung by -the young and the joyous, who, by taking them in the literal -sense, find nothing but an excitement to pass the spring of life -in the enjoyment of the world's luxuries; while the contemplative -sage, considering this poet as a religious enthusiast, attaches -a mystical meaning to every line, and repeats his odes as he -would an orison. At the time of his death," continued my -friend, "there were many who deemed his works sinful and -impious. These went so far as to arrest the procession of his -funeral. The dispute rose high, and the parties were likely to -come to blows, when it was agreed that a fāl, or lot, should be -taken from his book. If that were favourable to religion, his -friends were to proceed; but if calculated to promote vice, they -promised not to carry his body to the sacred ground appropriated -for its reception.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_195" id="Page_195">[195]</a></span></p> - -<p>"The volume of odes was produced, and it was opened by a -person whose eyes were bound, seven pages were counted back, -when the heaven-directed finger pointed to one of his inspired -stanzas,</p> - -<div class="poem"> -'Withdraw not your steps from the obsequies of Hāfiz:<br /> -Though immersed in sin he will rise into paradise.'<a name="FNanchor_112_112" id="FNanchor_112_112"></a><a href="#Footnote_112_112" class="fnanchor">[112]</a><br /> -</div> - -<p>"The admirers of the poet shouted with delight, and those -who had doubted joined in carrying his remains to a shrine near -Shiraz, where, from that day to this, his tomb is visited by pilgrims -of all classes and ages."</p> - -<p>I found my friend Khan Sāhib, however partial from his -habits to a literal interpretation of many passages, dwelt upon -others that he deemed mystical with all the rapture of a Soofee. -I asked him if he considered Hāfiz equal in this description of -poetry to the celebrated author of the Mesnevee, who is usually -called the Moollāh of Room?<a name="FNanchor_113_113" id="FNanchor_113_113"></a><a href="#Footnote_113_113" class="fnanchor">[113]</a> "Certainly not," was his reply; -"there is a depth and sublimity in the Mesnevee, which is -equalled by no poet of this class. But I will repeat, in answer -to your question, the observation of a famous Persian critic.</p> - -<p>"A friend asked him how it happened that the two most celebrated -Persian Soofee poets should differ so much in their -description of love? Hāfiz, in the commencement of his work, -observes:</p> - -<div class="poem"> -'Love at first sight appeared easy, but afterwards full of difficulties.'<a name="FNanchor_114_114" id="FNanchor_114_114"></a><a href="#Footnote_114_114" class="fnanchor">[114]</a><br /> -</div> - -<p>The author of the Mesnevee, in exact opposition, says,</p> - -<div class="poem"> -'Love at first resembles a bloody murderer,<br /> -That he may alarm all who are without his pale.'<a name="FNanchor_115_115" id="FNanchor_115_115"></a><a href="#Footnote_115_115" class="fnanchor">[115]</a><br /> -</div> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_196" id="Page_196">[196]</a></span></p> - -<p>"'Poor Hāfiz,' said the critic, shaking his head, 'did not -find out till the last, what the wiser Moollāh saw at a -glance.'"</p> - -<p>I was proceeding to make some further observations, when the -sound of music and the appearance of the neighbouring villagers -with their chiefs announced that we were near our encampment, -and both Khan Sāhib and myself were obliged to take our places -in the order of march, which was always formed when we met -such parties.</p> - - -<div class="footnotes"><h3>FOOTNOTES:</h3> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_103_103" id="Footnote_103_103"></a><a href="#FNanchor_103_103"><span class="label">[103]</span></a> These facts are mentioned in the Introduction to Mickle's translation of -the Lusiad.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_104_104" id="Footnote_104_104"></a><a href="#FNanchor_104_104"><span class="label">[104]</span></a> This desert is called, where we crossed it, Deryā-e-Kebeer, or Kemeen -which signifies a desert; and the term Deryā, which means the ocean, being -prefixed, is a proof of the truth of the popular belief of this having been once -a sea.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_105_105" id="Footnote_105_105"></a><a href="#FNanchor_105_105"><span class="label">[105]</span></a> Melek-ool-Mout derrat.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_106_106" id="Footnote_106_106"></a><a href="#FNanchor_106_106"><span class="label">[106]</span></a> "Yekee dāstān poor ab-e-cheshem."</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_107_107" id="Footnote_107_107"></a><a href="#FNanchor_107_107"><span class="label">[107]</span></a> -Gherm-esh ne-ghermee bood, oo serd-esh ne-serd -</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_108_108" id="Footnote_108_108"></a><a href="#FNanchor_108_108"><span class="label">[108]</span></a></p> -<div class="poem"> -Berf-e-peeree meenesheened ber sźr-em<br /> -Hem-choon-ān teba-em jevānee kooned.<br /> -</div></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_109_109" id="Footnote_109_109"></a><a href="#FNanchor_109_109"><span class="label">[109]</span></a></p> -<div class="poem"> -Rehim koon oo bee fouj der teskeen bāsh<br /> -Dilhā-e-ālem gheer oo shāh-e-ālem-gheer bāsh.<br /> -</div></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_110_110" id="Footnote_110_110"></a><a href="#FNanchor_110_110"><span class="label">[110]</span></a></p> -<div class="poem"> -Meger kih lāleh be-dānist bee-wefā-e-deher<br /> -Kih tā be-zād oo be-shood jām-e-mei z' kef-ne-nihād.<br /> -</div></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_111_111" id="Footnote_111_111"></a><a href="#FNanchor_111_111"><span class="label">[111]</span></a></p> -<div class="poem"> -Ne meedihend ijāzet me-ra be-seir-oo-Sefer<br /> -Neseem-e-bād-e-moosellā we āb-e-Rooknābād.<br /> -</div></div> - -<div class="footnote"> -<p><a name="Footnote_112_112" id="Footnote_112_112"></a><a href="#FNanchor_112_112"><span class="label">[112]</span></a></p> -<div class="poem"> -Kedem dereegh medār ez jināza-e-Hāfiz.<br /> -Kih ger-chih gherek-e-goonāh est meereved be-bihisht.<br /> -</div></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_113_113" id="Footnote_113_113"></a><a href="#FNanchor_113_113"><span class="label">[113]</span></a> Turkey.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_114_114" id="Footnote_114_114"></a><a href="#FNanchor_114_114"><span class="label">[114]</span></a> -Kih ishk āsān nemood avvel welee ooftād mooshkil-hā. -</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_115_115" id="Footnote_115_115"></a><a href="#FNanchor_115_115"><span class="label">[115]</span></a></p> -<div class="poem"> -Ishk avvel choo ser-khoonee booved,<br /> -Tā be-tersend her kih beeroonee booved.<br /> -</div> -</div> -</div> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_197" id="Page_197">[197]</a></span></p> - - -<h2>CHAPTER XVII.</h2> - -<blockquote> - -<p>Distant view of Teheran—Demavend—Rhe—Entrance into the Capital—Hajee -Ibrahim—Zāl Khan—Terms of Courtesy.</p></blockquote> - - -<p>The first distant view we had of Teheran, the modern capital of -Persia, was very imposing. It is situated near the foot of Elboorz, -a mountain of the great range which stretches from Europe to -the utmost limits of Asia. This range would appear high, were -it not for Demavend, whose lofty peak, rising above the clouds, -and covered with eternal snow, gives a diminutive appearance to -every thing in its vicinity.</p> - -<p>We had seen Demavend at the distance of one hundred miles -from its base, but it increased in magnificence as we advanced; -and those amongst us who delighted in the pages of Firdousee -now planned an early visit to this remarkable mountain, whose -summit that poet describes as "far from the abode of man, and -near to Heaven." A Persian of our party, called Meerzā Ibrahim, -who had been at Demavend, increased our curiosity by a detail -of the wonders we should see when we visited that place. -"Amongst others," said he, "is the cave that was once the -habitation of the Deev-e-Seffeed, who was slain by Roostem; -and if fortunate," he added, "you may catch a glimpse of the -Deev's daughter, whose dwelling is on the point of an inaccessible -rock, at the edge of which she now and then appears; and -is reported, notwithstanding her age, which cannot be less than -two thousand four hundred years, to be as active with her distaff, -and looking as well as ever.</p> - -<p>"Higher up the mountain," continued our informant, "amid -rocks and snow, which forbid all mortal approach, dwells Zohāk, -the most wicked of kings, surrounded by a court of magicians<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_198" id="Page_198">[198]</a></span> -and sorcerers; this at least is the belief of the worshippers of -fire. But it has been considered as unworthy of credit by the -Mahomedan historians of Persia, who, however, do not treat so -lightly the record which asserts, that in ancient times, when -Menoo-cheher made peace with Afrāsiāb,<a name="FNanchor_116_116" id="FNanchor_116_116"></a><a href="#Footnote_116_116" class="fnanchor">[116]</a> one of the articles -of the treaty was, that Persia was to have all the country in a -north-east direction, over which an arrow could be shot from -Demavend. A hero, called Arish, ascended to the top of the -mountain, and such was his miraculous prowess that he sent an -arrow to the banks of the Oxus, a distance of between five and -six hundred miles. Monarchs in these days," said Meerzā -Ibrahim, "we are assured were very particular in performing -their treaties, and the country was faithfully ceded."</p> - -<p>"I have read all the discussions upon this subject," said -Meerzā Aga Meer, who here joined in the conversation. "One -Persian historian, who relates this fact, admits that it is incomprehensible, -but at the same time adds, that he deems it his duty -to give it as received from former writers, who state, that the -arrow which was discharged at sunrise did not fall till noon.</p> - -<p>"Another author of high reputation informs us, that the -'Festival of the Arrow,'<a name="FNanchor_117_117" id="FNanchor_117_117"></a><a href="#Footnote_117_117" class="fnanchor">[117]</a> on the 13th of October,<a name="FNanchor_118_118" id="FNanchor_118_118"></a><a href="#Footnote_118_118" class="fnanchor">[118]</a> which is -still kept by the followers of Zoroaster, is in commemoration of -this event.</p> - -<p>"The arrow about which so much has been said and written," -added Aga Meer, "is admitted by almost all to have been of -gold. Some philosophers, however, have conjectured that it -contained quicksilver and other substances, which, when heated -by the sun, added to its projectile force; and we are informed, -that the great 'Boo-Ali-seenā<a name="FNanchor_119_119" id="FNanchor_119_119"></a><a href="#Footnote_119_119" class="fnanchor">[119]</a> did not consider this feat beyond -the compass of human ingenuity."</p> - -<p>I concluded this discussion about the wonderful arrow by observing, -that some sceptical commentators on this passage of -ancient history had given their opinion, that the story of the -golden arrow, flying from Demavend to the Oxus, was nothing -more than a bold metaphor, to express that the Persians conquered -that extent of country by their skill in archery; "But -the opinions of such writers," I said, "are rejected by all who -prefer plain facts to far-fetched metaphors."</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_199" id="Page_199">[199]</a></span></p> - -<p>At a short distance from our camp we observed several mounds -of earth and ruined walls, which we were told was all that remained -of the once famous Ragas of Tobit—the Rhages of the -Greeks, and the Rhe of the Persians.</p> - -<p>While all who had imagination and a love of antiquity dwelt -with delight on the prospect of ascending Demavend, and visiting -the ruins of Rhe, the men of business looked only to Teheran, -which appeared to me to offer little to the view which was either -grand or pleasing. One palace alone attracted any portion of -my admiration. It stood near the base of the mountain Elboorz, -on a commanding site, and was every way suited for a royal -residence.</p> - -<p>We were called from our plans and prospects to prepare for -the entry of the Mission into the capital; but the ceremonies of -the procession were not yet fully arranged. Letters and notes -passed every minute; secretaries and confidential messengers -went to and fro without intermission. These communications -and messages chiefly related to the forms of our reception. The -period of entering Teheran had been long fixed by the Elchee, -who had consulted an eminent astrologer at Isfahan upon this -subject. The wise man, after casting his nativity, and comparing -what he found written in the book of his destiny with the -object of his Mission, which he had been told was the establishment -of friendly intercourse with Persia, declared, by a paper -given under his hand, for which he was no doubt well fee'd, -"That, provided the Elchee entered the gate of Teheran at forty-five -minutes past two o'clock, <span class="smcap">P.M.</span> on the 13th of November, -1800, success would attend his negotiation, and he would accomplish -all his wishes."</p> - -<p>Meerzā Aga Meer, who, like the most enlightened of his -countrymen, believed firmly in the occult science of astrology, -had the best chronometer in our party intrusted to his care. It -was given him because his situation enabled him to ride in the -procession sufficiently near the Elchee to prompt him when to -go a little faster or slower, in order that the gate of the capital<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_200" id="Page_200">[200]</a></span> -might be entered at the exact moment, a point to which the -astrologer had attached the greatest importance.</p> - -<p>The party who came out some miles to welcome the Elchee -consisted of several noblemen, the chief of whom was Nou Rōz -Khan Kajir, the Lord of Requests and Commander of the King's -Guard.</p> - -<p>About six hundred horse, principally royal guards, accompanied -this chief. We prepared for their reception by sounding -the trumpets and beating the drums of our cavalry and infantry, -and putting all the suite, European and native, in regular -array.</p> - -<p>When the parties were within twenty yards of each other they -halted, and Nou Rōz Khan prepared to dismount. The Elchee -did the same. The latter poised himself a moment in the stirrup, -lest his foot should be on the ground before that of the Persian -nobleman, which would have marked inferiority. But the soldier-like -movements of Nou Rōz Khan showed at once he was a -manly fellow, and no stickler about ceremonies. He not only -dismounted with expedition, but hastened, before the Elchee had -time to quit his horse, to come forward and welcome the guest -of his sovereign.</p> - -<p>We had all dismounted at the instant the Elchee did, and -after mutual introduction the whole party were again on their -march, the Elchee and Nou Rōz Khan riding exactly parallel, -and their attendants a little in the rear, nearer or more remote, -according to their respective ranks.</p> - -<p>On the plain which we passed, before coming to the capital, -some of the guards of the king displayed their skill in horsemanship. -They threw the Jerreed<a name="FNanchor_120_120" id="FNanchor_120_120"></a><a href="#Footnote_120_120" class="fnanchor">[120]</a> at each other with excellent -aim; and it was often only avoided by extraordinary activity, -the horseman sometimes to all appearance throwing himself -from his horse, while the jerreed whizzed over him.</p> - -<p>Another exercise, called the Doghela-Bāzee, is performed by -the rider holding a stick little more than a yard long in his hand, -one end of which he throws with great force on the ground, on -the near side of the horse when at full gallop; the direction given -by this stroke causes it to rebound over the horse's head, and -the rider catches it while yet whirling round in the air.</p> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_201" id="Page_201">[201]</a></span></p> -<p>But of all these exhibitions, that which pleased me most was -the skill they displayed as marksmen. When at full speed, the -rider throws a lemon over his head, and twisting his body completely -round to the left, fires at it from the off-flank of the -horse,<a name="FNanchor_121_121" id="FNanchor_121_121"></a><a href="#Footnote_121_121" class="fnanchor">[121]</a> almost always with good aim, and often hitting it. This -appeared to me, as combining the different motions of the horse, -the rider, and the lemon, quite wonderful, but, like other surprising -feats, it is the result of constant practice; for the child in -Persia commences this exercise at six or seven years of age, and -it is never abandoned, while there is strength left to sit upon a -horse and to pull a trigger.</p> - -<p>The crowds of people we now saw announced that we were in -the suburbs of Teheran. I heard Aga Meer whisper the Elchee, -"You have yet ten minutes,—a little slower." "Quicker!" was -afterwards pronounced in an under tone. Again I heard -"Slower!" then "Now!" and the charger of the Elchee put -his foot over the threshold of the gate of Teheran. "Al -hamd-ool-illāh! Thanks be to God!" said the Meer, with a -delighted countenance; "it was the very moment,—how fortunate!" -This joy, and the expression of it, told all to Nou -Rōz Khan, who evidently deemed the proceeding as a matter of -course; and when he heard the name of the astrologer who was -consulted at Isfahan, he seemed to think, after such a happy -moment of arrival, there could be no doubt of the fulfilment of -his predictions. This sentiment was general among the Persians -in our suite. Some of them might have doubted the sincerity -of the Elchee's belief in the occult sciences, but even these were -pleased at the consideration given to what he deemed their prejudices.</p> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_202" id="Page_202">[202]</a></span></p> -<p>One day after the treaties were concluded, I heard the prime -minister say, with a smile, to the Elchee, "You see, with all -your European knowledge, of what consequence it is to attend -to a Persian astrologer, who instructs you to fight us with our -own weapons, the stars and planets."</p> - -<p>On entering Teheran, we were conducted through the streets -to the house of the prime minister, Hajee Ibrahim. Here Nou -Rōz Khan left us; but we were welcomed at the gate of the -dwelling by several of the friends and principal members of the -minister's family, and we had hardly seated ourselves, when the -Hajee was announced as coming to visit his guests.</p> - -<p>My curiosity to see this extraordinary man was very great. -"There must," I thought, "be something wonderful in the appearance -as well as in the mind of that human being, who, by -the mere force of his character, has raised himself from the rank -of an humble magistrate in the city of Shiraz, to be a 'puller-down -and setter-up of kings;' who, without any pretensions to -military talent, and without learning sufficient to write a note or -read three lines, has overcome heroes, has established sovereigns -on the throne of Persia, and by his firmness and wisdom has -given a peace and tranquillity to his native land beyond what it -has known for a century."</p> - -<p>The Persians are a handsome race of men, and fond of decorating -their persons. I expected therefore to see Hajee Ibrahim -enter elegantly dressed, with a dignified if not an elastic step, with -a commanding figure, a clear animated countenance, with features -expressive of his superior character: and, above all, with -two piercing eyes, distinguished perhaps by that restless wandering -from object to object, which indicates the care and anxiety -of a man who held power and life by so precarious a tenure as a -prime minister of Persia.</p> - -<p>We all arose as he was announced, and the Elchee went forward -to meet him. Judge of my surprise when I saw, instead -of the magnificent personage of my imagination, a heavy-looking -man, dressed in very plain clothes, enter the room, and proceed -towards his seat, with a rolling of the body that almost approached -to a waddle. His features were rather coarse, and his<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_203" id="Page_203">[203]</a></span> -eyes, though clear, had nothing of the piercing or searching -qualities I had anticipated. As to his manners, they did not -appear to have changed with his condition, but to be still those of -a respectable citizen of Shiraz. I was, I must confess, quite -disappointed; but before the half hour expired, which he passed -in conversation with the Elchee, my mind had undergone another -change, for there was in all he said a good sense, a sincerity, and -a strength, that quite convinced me of the justice of the fame he -had acquired.</p> - -<p>The Hajee's brother, Abd-ool-Raheem Khan, came the day -after our arrival to pay his respects to the Elchee. An attempt -was made by the steward of the minister's household to obtain -more deference for this person than he was from his rank entitled -to. "The Hajee," said the politic major-domo, "always gives -the seat of honour to Abd-ool-Raheem Khan, who is his elder -brother!" "He is right in so doing," said the Elchee; "but -this gentleman is not my elder brother." The reply indicated -a knowledge of the relations on which precedence was to be -given or refused, which terminated the discussion. In came -Abd-ool-Raheem Khan, a very fat and dull man, whose merit -appeared limited to that of being brother to a prime minister. -He took his seat very contentedly; staid half an hour; spoke -half a sentence—and retired.</p> - -<p>The first night I passed at Hajee Ibrahim's, I was disturbed -by a continued mumbling and confused noise in the next apartment, -which, upon inquiry, I found proceeded from the extreme -piety of its inmate, Zāl Khan of Khisht.</p> - -<p>This remarkable man had established a great name in his -native mountains, betwixt Abusheher and Shiraz; and he was -long distinguished as one of the bravest and most attached -followers of the Zend family. When the death of Lootf Ali Khan -terminated its power, he, along with the other governors of provinces -and districts in Fars, submitted to Aga Mahomed Khan. -That cautious and cruel monarch, dreading the ability, and doubtful -of the allegiance of this chief, ordered his eyes to be put out: -an appeal for the recall of the sentence being treated with -disdain, Zāl Khan loaded the tyrant with curses. "Cut out his -tongue," was the second order. This mandate was imperfectly -executed; and the loss of half this member deprived him of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_204" id="Page_204">[204]</a></span> -speech. Being afterwards persuaded that its being cut close to -the root would enable him to speak so as to be understood, he -submitted to the operation, and the effect has been, that his voice, -though indistinct and thick, is yet intelligible to persons accustomed -to converse with him. This I experienced from daily -intercourse. He often spoke to me of his sufferings, and of the -humanity of the present king, who had restored him to his situation -as head of his tribe, and governor of Khisht.</p> - -<p>I am not an anatomist, and cannot therefore give a reason why -a man, who could not articulate with half a tongue, should -speak when he had none at all; but the facts are as stated, and -I had them from the very best authority, old Zāl Khan himself.</p> - -<p>Some points of no small consequence underwent discussion the -day after we reached Teheran. The Persian language is very -copious, and has many terms which, though signifying in substance -the same, have a shade of difference in the application, which -enables those versed in such matters to use them so as to denote -the rank and respective relations of the parties who hold intercourse -with each other. For instance, the word friendship may -be expressed by three or four terms, which imply superiority, -equality, or inferiority. The speaker may, by the manner in -which he introduces the expression "I have a regard for you"—"I -esteem your friendship"—"My duty always attends you"—or, -"My service is at your command," mark the respect or -relation in which he holds him whom he addresses. These are -in Persia, as with us, expressions of courtesy; but in that country -the subject meets much more attention than we give it, and -especially in all communications with a foreign envoy.</p> - -<p>Both the Elchee and his host, Hajee Ibrahim, might have -smiled inwardly at the trifling nature of such forms, but the -relation in which they stood towards each made it necessary to -observe them; and as the terms they used in conversation were -likely to serve as a standard to others, it was judged necessary -to have a congress of meerzās or secretaries, skilled in such -niceties, to settle this important point.</p> - -<p>Two very formal men were deputed by the minister; and Aga -Meer and Mahomed Hoosein, the Indian Moonshee, attended on -the part of the Elchee. The negotiation was opened on the -admitted basis of perfect equality of rank between the parties.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_205" id="Page_205">[205]</a></span> -Notwithstanding the apparent simplicity of the subject, much -discussion ensued. My Indian friend gave me a full account of -it. "The minister's meerzās," said he, "endeavoured to establish -points which, though seemingly trivial, would have given a -shade of superiority to their master which I would not admit: -they rather alarmed Aga Meer, who, being a Persian, could not -be expected to stand up against them, at the hazard of giving -offence to those of his country who were in power: but what did -I care," said Mahomed Hoosein, swelling with the part he had -acted at this conference, "for their prime ministers? I know -no superiors but my master and the English government.</p> - -<p>"They told me," he added, "that by giving now and then a -term of respect to Hajee Ibrahim, more than he received, the -Elchee would add to the consequence of that minister, and not -diminish his own, as they were informed that people in England -cared little about such matters. I told them, however, that the -Elchee, in all he did or said, considered the impressions he was -to make in Persia, not in England, and that he would abandon -no claims to respect, even in matters of the slightest word or -form, which tended in any manner to affect his representative -character with the nation to which he was sent.</p> - -<p>"Seeing," said the good Moonshee,<a name="FNanchor_122_122" id="FNanchor_122_122"></a><a href="#Footnote_122_122" class="fnanchor">[122]</a> "that nothing was to be -gained from me, they came at last to an amicable arrangement." -The word friendship, which implies perfect equality, may be -used in common conversation; but occasionally the terms, "my -duty waits upon you," or, "my service is at your command," -are to be introduced, with this express provision, that whenever -one party in the excess of his politeness uses them, the other is to -take the earliest opportunity of doing the same. This rule is -also to be particularly observed in the important phrases of -"you represented," "you said," or, "you commanded." "You -said," is settled as the term of equality; but "you commanded," -it is agreed, may be frequently interchanged, as tending to show -the great respect the parties entertain for each other.</p> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_206" id="Page_206">[206]</a></span></p> -<p>Possessed of this information, I watched the first interview of -those for whom this arrangement was made with no little interest. -I noticed that the Elchee replied immediately to the first concession -made by Hajee Ibrahim by a similar expression: but -when he himself made one some time afterwards, which did not -meet with so prompt a return, I was amused to see him retreat -upon his terms of equality. This had the desired effect. No -more encroachments were made upon his dignity; and from his -conduct on this occasion, and others of similar importance, he -was no doubt considered by the Persians as a most accomplished -diplomatist!</p> - -<p>The termination of this battle of words at Teheran, added to -that of forms at Shiraz, were happy preparations for the discussions -regarding the ceremonies of presentation to the king; -but these will be noticed in the next chapter.</p> - -<div class="footnotes"><h3>FOOTNOTES:</h3> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_116_116" id="Footnote_116_116"></a><a href="#FNanchor_116_116"><span class="label">[116]</span></a> The Sovereign of Tartary.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_117_117" id="Footnote_117_117"></a><a href="#FNanchor_117_117"><span class="label">[117]</span></a> Teer-gah.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_118_118" id="Footnote_118_118"></a><a href="#FNanchor_118_118"><span class="label">[118]</span></a> The month of October, in the ancient Persian Calendar, is called Teer -or the Arrow.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_119_119" id="Footnote_119_119"></a><a href="#FNanchor_119_119"><span class="label">[119]</span></a> Avicenna.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_120_120" id="Footnote_120_120"></a><a href="#FNanchor_120_120"><span class="label">[120]</span></a> A wooden javelin.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_121_121" id="Footnote_121_121"></a><a href="#FNanchor_121_121"><span class="label">[121]</span></a> The modern Persian horseman has changed the bow of his ancestors for -a matchlock, but the mode of using his arms is the same. The Parthians -are described, in their successful contests with the disciplined legions of -Rome, as carrying on their attacks, not against the army but the supplies by -which it was supported. -</p> -<p> -"The mode in which the Parthian warrior took his unerring aim, while -his horse was carrying him from his enemy," says the author of the History -of Persia, "may be viewed as a personification of the system of warfare by -which his nation, during this era of its history, maintained its independence. -The system was suited to the soil, to the man, and to the fleet and robust -animal on which he was mounted; and its success was so certain, that the -bravest veterans of Rome murmured when their leaders talked of a Parthian -war."—History of Persia, vol. i. p. 88.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_122_122" id="Footnote_122_122"></a><a href="#FNanchor_122_122"><span class="label">[122]</span></a> This excellent man is living on a small estate in his native country, the -northern Circars, granted for his services in Persia and other quarters. He -accompanied his old master, the Elchee, in the campaign in India of 1817-18; -and in consideration of this further service to the public, his estate has been -settled upon his children.</p></div></div> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_207" id="Page_207">[207]</a></span></p> - - -<h2>CHAPTER XVIII.</h2> - -<blockquote> - -<p>Terms of Reception at Court—Second Visit—Delivery of Presents—King's -Grant—Private Interviews—King's Ancestors—Crown Jewels—King's -love of a Joke—Mode of Passing his Time—Harem—Royal Meals—Hajee -Ibrahim—His Character and Death.</p></blockquote> - - -<p>The Elchee's reputation as a man conversant with forms, and -much alive to their importance in all diplomatic proceedings, -smoothed the way for the settlement he had to make regarding -his reception at court. There were still, however, many minor -points to be arranged which required much grave discussion. One -presented itself on the very threshold of this negotiation, with -which we were all highly amused.</p> - -<p>Many observations had been made on our dress at Shiraz, but -no records existed at the provincial capital, which could authorise -the minister of the prince to object to the Elchee's being -presented in his uniform. The outward appearance of our heads, -the hair of which had been recently cropped, obtained us high -compliments, at the expense of our friends the Russians. That -nation had some years before invaded the territory of Persia, -and its troops were then threatening another attack. The consequence -was a very hostile feeling towards it amongst the -courtiers and ministers of the king of kings. Chirāgh Ali -Khan, when we were at Shiraz, dilated on our habits as much -more cleanly than our Christian brethren of the north. "They -delight in nothing," said he, "but strong liquor and hogs' flesh; -and, would you believe it?" addressing himself to the Elchee, -"they are so fond of the vile animal on which they live, that -they actually tie their hair in a form which resembles its tail." -The Elchee looked as if incredulous of this last usage, though it -was, to my knowledge, not more than a twelvemonth since -his own head had been shorn of the ornament held in such -abomination.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_208" id="Page_208">[208]</a></span></p> - -<p>From what had passed, we thought that we were safe on the -point of dress; but we were mistaken. Two days after our -arrival at Isfahan, a meerzā came on the part of Hajee -Ibrahim, to speak to the Elchee on this subject. After many -apologies and explanations regarding the minute attention to -ceremonies at the Persian court, he observed, that it even related -to dress; and as the Elchee was to be presented to the -king, it was expected he would put on garments suited to the -occasion. The Elchee replied, he did not know what was -meant, but that he could wear no dress except that of his -country; and being a soldier, he wore the uniform belonging to -his station in the army. The Meerzā smiled, and said they were -better informed upon such subjects than the Elchee imagined. -He then produced a parcel; and after opening a number of -envelopes, he showed several small pictures of ambassadors who -had visited Persia two centuries ago. One, which was called -the painting of the English representative, and believed to be -Sir Anthony Shirley, was dressed in the full costume of the time -of Queen Elizabeth. "This," said the Meerzā, "is the pattern -which it is hoped you will adopt, as his majesty desires to follow -in all points the usages of the Seffavean kings, since they well -understood what was due to the dignity of the throne of Persia."</p> - -<p>The Elchee could not help smiling at this proposition; but -seeing the Meerzā look grave, he begged pardon, and told him, -that when he saw Hajee Ibrahim he would satisfy him fully on -this subject. The minister came soon afterwards into the room, -and was much entertained at the account of the changes which -fashion had made in our dress, since the days of good Queen -Bess. "Well, well," said he, in his short but forcible manner, -"our habits are so different from yours on this point that the -mistake is not surprising; and though I do not altogether like a -usage which makes children laugh at the garments of their -grandfathers, every country has a right to its own customs, and -to these its representatives should adhere. I must," he said in a -whisper, "plague you a little on such points, for I have a bad -name, from not being a stickler for forms; and I shall trust," -he added, "to your good nature to allow me to establish my -character."</p> - -<p>The marching with fixed bayonets, drawn swords, and trumpets<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_209" id="Page_209">[209]</a></span> -sounding, to the great gate of the palace, the spot where he was -to dismount—the manner in which he was to approach the king, -and the place where he was to sit, were all settled to the satisfaction -of the Elchee. An objection was at first made to the -suite being seated, but numerous books as well as pictures were -produced, to prove the usage of the Seffavean monarchs on this -head, and the point was conceded.</p> - -<p>There was much and serious discussion as to the rank of the -person to be appointed to meet the Elchee at the entrance room, -where, according to etiquette, he must remain till his majesty -was announced as ready to receive him.</p> - -<p>Sūlimān Khan Kajir, first cousin and son-in-law of the king, -and who had at one period aspired to the throne, was the person -fixed upon to act this part of the drama. No compliment could -be greater to the embassy than its being assigned to him; but -there was one drawback—it was urged, that the said Sūlimān -Khan was of too high rank to rise from his seat to receive any -man upon earth, except the king, or a prince of the blood-royal; -he was besides Lord of the Court,<a name="FNanchor_123_123" id="FNanchor_123_123"></a><a href="#Footnote_123_123" class="fnanchor">[123]</a> an office which gave him the -place of majesty itself when the king was absent. Notwithstanding -these pretensions, it was agreed that he should make a -slight movement, or a half rise, when the Elchee entered the -room, and that the latter should seat himself on the carpet on a -footing of equality.</p> - -<p>Everything being arranged, we proceeded towards the -"Threshold of the World's Glory," on the morning of the -sixteenth of November, in the year of our Lord eighteen hundred! -We were all dressed in our best attire. A crowd had -assembled near the house of Hajee Ibrahim, and the streets were -filled with gazers at the strangers.</p> - -<p>The infantry part of the escort, with their drum and fifes, and -all the Hindustānnee public servants in scarlet and gold, preceded -the Elchee, who rode a beautiful Arabian horse richly -caparisoned, but entirely in the English style; he was followed -by the gentlemen of his suite and his escort of cavalry.</p> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_210" id="Page_210">[210]</a></span></p> -<p>When we came within half a mile of the palace all was -silence and order: it was the state of Asia with the discipline -of Europe. We passed through rows of men and horses; and -even the latter appeared as if afraid to shake their heads. Many -persons whom we saw in the first square of the citadel, before we -entered the palace, were richly dressed, and some of the horses -were decked out with bridles, saddles, and trappings of great -value; but it was not until we passed the last gate of the palace, -and came into the garden in front of the king's hall of audience, -a highly ornamented and spacious building, that we could form -any idea of the splendour of the Persian court.</p> - -<p>A canal flowed in the centre of a garden, which supplied a -number of fountains, to the right and left of which were broad -paved walks, and beyond these were rows of trees. Between the -trees and the high wall encircling the palace files of matchlock-men -were drawn up; and within the avenues, from the gate to -the hall of audience, all the princes, nobles, courtiers, and -officers of state, were marshalled in separate lines, according to -their rank, from the lowest officer of the king's guard, who -occupied the place nearest the entrance, to the heir apparent, -Abbas Meerzā, who stood on the right of his brothers, and -within a few paces of the throne.</p> - -<p>There was not one person in all this array who had not a -gold-hilted sword, a Cashmere shawl round his cap, and another -round his waist. Many of the princes and nobles were magnificently -dressed, but all was forgotten as soon as the eye rested -upon the king.</p> - -<p>He appeared to be above the middle size, his age little more -than thirty, his complexion rather fair; his features were regular -and fine, with an expression denoting quickness and intelligence. -His beard attracted much of our attention; it was full, black, -and glossy, and flowed to his middle. His dress baffled all description. -The ground of his robes was white; but he was so -covered with jewels of an extraordinary size, and their splendour, -from his being seated where the rays of the sun played upon -them, was so dazzling, that it was impossible to distinguish the -minute parts which combined to give such amazing brilliancy to -his whole figure.</p> - -<p>The two chief officers of ceremonies, who carried golden -sticks, stopped twice, as they advanced towards the throne, to -make a low obeisance, and the Elchee at the same time took off -his hat. When near the entrance of the hall the procession<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_211" id="Page_211">[211]</a></span> -stopped, and the lord of requests said, "Captain John Malcolm -is come, as envoy from the governor-general of India to your -majesty." The king, looking to the Elchee, said, in a pleasing -and manly voice, "You are welcome."<a name="FNanchor_124_124" id="FNanchor_124_124"></a><a href="#Footnote_124_124" class="fnanchor">[124]</a></p> - -<p>We then ascended the steps of the hall, and were seated, as -had been previously arranged. The letter from the governor-general, -which had been carried in the procession on a golden -tray, was opened and read. His majesty inquired after the health -of the king of England and of the ruler of India. He desired -particularly to know how the Elchee had been treated in his -dominions, and whether he liked what he had seen of Persia?</p> - -<p>To all these questions appropriate answers were returned; and -we left his majesty, after being seated about twenty minutes, -very much gratified by our reception, and with an assurance -from our mehmandar,<a name="FNanchor_125_125" id="FNanchor_125_125"></a><a href="#Footnote_125_125" class="fnanchor">[125]</a> which was afterwards confirmed by the -prime minister, that the king of kings was highly pleased with -the mission, the state and splendour of which he could not but -feel added to his reputation, and gave him fame and popularity -with his own subjects.</p> - -<p>Several days passed before our second visit to court, when -the Elchee carried the presents from the governor-general, some -of which were very valuable, particularly the pier-glasses, which -have been already mentioned. A change was made in this second -visit; we were not stopped as before at the room, where we -were met by Sūlimān Khan Kajir, that chief having failed in -showing the Elchee proper respect, by not rising when he went -in or out of the apartment; and to prevent further disputes, -the ceremony of stopping, in our progress towards the throne, -was altogether dispensed with. The court was still more fully -attended than before, and the king, if possible, more magnificently -dressed.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_212" id="Page_212">[212]</a></span></p> - -<p>After we had been seated a short time, the presents were -announced. I was a little anxious when one of the ministers -began to read the list. There had been a great desire to give -them a name which denoted inferiority of rank on the part of -the person from whom they were sent; but the Elchee would not -allow of any such term being used, and he told the prime -minister, that if any attempt of the kind were made, he would, -notwithstanding the strict etiquette of the Persian court, instantly -address the king, and tell him, that the presents he brought were -neither tribute nor offerings, as his secretary had from inadvertence -called them, but rarities and curiosities sent from the British -ruler of India, in token of his regard and friendship for the king -of Persia. This communication had the desired effect; our -presents were termed rarities, and the high rank of the governor-general, -as a person intrusted with sovereign functions, was on -this occasion upheld.</p> - -<p>This visit was at its commencement very formal, but the king, -evidently desirous to give it another character, said to the Elchee, -"I have heard a report which I cannot believe, that your king -has only one wife." "No Christian prince can have more," -said the Elchee. "O, I know that! but he may have a little -lady."<a name="FNanchor_126_126" id="FNanchor_126_126"></a><a href="#Footnote_126_126" class="fnanchor">[126]</a> "Our gracious king, George the Third," replied the -Envoy, "is an example to his subjects of attention to morality -and religion in this respect, as in every other." "This may all -be very proper," concluded his majesty of Persia, laughing, -"but I certainly should not like to be king of such a country."</p> - -<p>A curious incident occurred as we left the palace. The -king's giant, a man above eight feet high, and stout in proportion, -was placed against one of the walls of the gate through -which we were to retire, and he had in his hand a club of enormous -dimensions. It was expected that the Elchee, on seeing -him, would start with astonishment if not alarm; but he passed -without taking any notice of this redoubtable personage, except -by a slight glance. The fact was, as he afterwards confessed, it -never entered into his imagination that it was a human being. -Paintings of Roostem and his club (which the giant was dressed -to imitate) are very common in Persia, and in the hurry of -passing he took this to be one. He was first made sensible of his -mistake by the praises of his mehmandar. "Admirable!" said -the latter to him: "nothing could be better: the fools wished to -try to startle you with giants and clubs stuck up against a wall. -They are rightly served; your eye hardly rested on him for a -moment, evidently not thinking him worthy of your notice. I -shall tell them," he added, with a feeling that showed he considered -his honour was associated with that of the person of whom he had -charge, "that such men are quite common in your country, -and that this giant would hardly be tall enough for one of the -guards of the king of England."</p> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_213" id="Page_213">[213]</a></span></p> -<p>Before we left Teheran the Envoy had several interviews with -the king, at all of which his majesty was gracious; and at some, -which were private, he spoke a great deal, and was very inquisitive -into the habits and usages of England, and the character of -its government.</p> - -<p>Speaking of the empire of India, he asked, if it were true that -ten ships were sent every year from that country to England -loaded with gold and silver? The Elchee said it was very rare -any bullion was sent from our territories in the East to England; -that whatever went was in merchandise. "What a lie," said his -majesty, "the Envoy<a name="FNanchor_127_127" id="FNanchor_127_127"></a><a href="#Footnote_127_127" class="fnanchor">[127]</a> who preceded you told me; but," (seeing -the Elchee annoyed,) "do not vex yourself, it is not your shame -but ours; your predecessor was a Persian, and we all exaggerate—you -speak truth. But why did you send a Persian to my -court? I suppose," continuing to answer himself, "it was to -find out what kind of a being I was, and whether my country was -settled, before you deputed one of your own nation."</p> - -<p>"Are the French," he asked, "a powerful people?" "Certainly," -replied the Envoy; "they would not otherwise deserve -to be mentioned as the enemies of the English." "There again," -said the king, turning to his ministers, "you know we were told -that the French were a weak and contemptible nation, which was -incredible: the Elchee, by telling the truth, has done them -justice, and raised his own country at the same time."</p> - -<p>After a number of questions on the mines of South America, -and the arts and manufactures of Europe, the king said, "All -this is astonishing! Persia has nothing but steel." "Steel well -managed," said the Elchee, "has, from the beginning of the -world to the present day, commanded all other riches." "Very -true," said the king, quite pleased with this compliment; "that -is a very just observation; therefore we must not complain, but -continue to be contented, as our ancestors have been, with our -swords and our lances."</p> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_214" id="Page_214">[214]</a></span></p> -<p>The king had learned that the Elchee, in his conversation with -the minister, had displayed considerable acquaintance with the -past history of his family at Asterabad, and his curiosity being -excited, he sent to desire his attendance. We were received in a -private apartment, in which there were only a few courtiers, but -there were several Kajir chiefs, and four or five elders<a name="FNanchor_128_128" id="FNanchor_128_128"></a><a href="#Footnote_128_128" class="fnanchor">[128]</a> of that -tribe.</p> - -<p>The interrogation began; and as the Elchee derived his -knowledge from that minute and truth-telling traveller, Jonas -Hanway, his answers quite surprised all present; and when he -informed them, not only of the events which happened fifty-six<a name="FNanchor_129_129" id="FNanchor_129_129"></a><a href="#Footnote_129_129" class="fnanchor">[129]</a> -years before, but gave them accounts of the personal appearance, -the dispositions, the connections, and the characters of the different -chiefs, the astonishment of the elders was expressed by the -frequent repetition of "Yā Ali," an ejaculation that, in the -mouth of a Persian, attends all sudden emotions of wonder. The -king was more than pleased, he was delighted; he evidently -believed, from the Elchee's knowledge of the history of his -family, that their fame had reached Europe, and that it was as -well known to the nations of that quarter of the globe as to the -Tūrkūmāns of Goorgān, or the natives of Mazenderan.</p> - -<p>The Elchee on this occasion told the truth, but not the whole -truth. The character of the court in which he was giving -evidence did not perhaps require the latter, and it might have -lessened the pleasure imparted, to have spoken of the plundered -bales of cloth, and the dread of being made over to the Tūrkūmāns, -which had so fixed the recollection of his majesty's family -in the mind of poor Jonas Hanway. As it was, the king was -delighted, and conversed familiarly on various subjects. Amongst -others, he inquired very particularly into the frame of the -English government.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_215" id="Page_215">[215]</a></span></p> - -<p>The Elchee explained it to him as well as he could. When -he spoke of the liberty of the subject, his majesty was puzzled to -understand what it meant; but on being told it implied, that no -man was so high in England as to be able to do anything contrary -to the law of the land; and no man so low, but that he -might do everything not contrary to that law, he appeared to -comprehend this, as well as the other points which had been -explained to him.</p> - -<p>"I understand all you have said," he observed; and after -some reflection, he added—"Your king is, I see, only the first -magistrate of the country."<a name="FNanchor_130_130" id="FNanchor_130_130"></a><a href="#Footnote_130_130" class="fnanchor">[130]</a> "Your majesty," said the Elchee, -"has exactly defined his situation." "Such a condition of -power," said he, smiling, "has permanence, but it has no enjoyment: -mine is enjoyment. There you see Sūlimān Khan Kajir, -and several other of the first chiefs of the kingdom—I can cut all -their heads off: can I not?" said he, addressing them. "Assuredly, -'Point of adoration of the world,'<a name="FNanchor_131_131" id="FNanchor_131_131"></a><a href="#Footnote_131_131" class="fnanchor">[131]</a> if it is your -pleasure."</p> - -<p>"That is real power," said the king; "but then it has no -permanence. When I am gone, my sons will fight for the crown, -and all will be confusion: there is, however, one consolation, -Persia will be governed by a soldier."</p> - -<p>The king, at this visit, appeared in great good humour with -the Elchee, and gratified the latter by showing him his richest -jewels, amongst which was the "sea of light,"<a name="FNanchor_132_132" id="FNanchor_132_132"></a><a href="#Footnote_132_132" class="fnanchor">[132]</a> which is deemed -one of the purest and most valuable diamonds in the world. -Many of the others were surprisingly splendid.</p> - -<p>On the evening after this visit, my excellent friend, whom I -have before mentioned as preferring a shot at a duck to a view of -the ruins of Persepolis, said he would like to be king of Persia. -Knowing that inordinate ambition had no place in his mind, I -asked him what he would do if he attained that station: "Run -away with my crown," was the prompt answer. We had a hearty -laugh at the genuine simplicity of this expression. It is perhaps -the first time sovereignty was ever desired for such a purpose; -but, considering all that attends, in Persia, the wearing of the -article he wished for, it would perhaps be the best mode of converting -to real advantage so dangerous and precarious a possession.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_216" id="Page_216">[216]</a></span></p> - -<p>The condition of Fatteh Ali Shāh, at the time I first saw him, -was deemed, by his Mahomedan subjects, as fortunate as could be -attained by any human being in this world. He added to youth -and personal endowments, four wives, more ladies than I will -venture to name, and nearly one hundred children, the possession -of a splendid throne, and the prospect of living long to enjoy it, -for his cruel but able uncle, Aga Mahomed, had destroyed all -who were likely to dispute his possession of the crown. "He -had," to use his own words, "raised a royal palace, and cemented -it with blood, that the boy Bābā Khan (the name he -always gave his nephew) might sleep within its walls in peace."</p> - -<p>The king has elegant manners and many accomplishments. -Among others, he is a poet, and has written a book of odes, of -the merits of which the critics of Persia speak in perfect raptures. -I only wish I had the same power that he possesses of disarming -severity and propitiating favour. What a magnifying glass -would then be applied to these pages, now doomed, I fear, to be -viewed through a reversed telescope, which will make them appear -so diminutive as hardly to be worth the trouble of perusing. -But to return to his majesty of Persia.</p> - -<p>I made all the inquiries I could into his usual habits and -mode of passing his time. He is very regular in the execution -of his public duties; and being a king of Persia is no sinecure. -He must have two courts every day; one public, and another -private. He receives at the first the salutations of all his sons, -nobles, ministers, and public officers; and at this public levee -strangers are presented. At the second, in which his ministers -and favourites only attend, business is transacted.</p> - -<p>The present king, like many of the same age and temperament, -makes up, by the employment of his leisure moments, for -the forms and restraints which usage imposes upon him when -before the eye of the public. He pursues with great ardour the -sports of the field, is an excellent horseman, and a good shot.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_217" id="Page_217">[217]</a></span></p> - -<p>Being fond of his fame as a literary man, he devotes some -time to the society of the learned, and enjoys hearing poetry -and entertaining stories recited. He has, however, I am told, -more boyish amusements, in which those of his favourite -attendants and domestics, who join, are admitted to great familiarity. -The age and character of Hajee Ibrahim have naturally -inspired the king with some awe; and it is not an uncommon -joke, when his majesty is at high romps, for some privileged -person to exclaim, "Hajee! Hajee!" as if the minister were seen -approaching: the word is certain to act as a talisman; all are -grave and in their places in a moment, till a laugh from the -successful wit proclaims that it is only a jest.</p> - -<p>I had an opportunity of observing that the king is very fond -of having a laugh at the expense of his gravest ministers and -highest nobles; and Hajee Ibrahim assured me, he had never -seen him more delighted than by the opportunity of indulging -in this vein, afforded by two occurrences connected with our -party.</p> - -<p>Sūlimān Khan Kajir, of whose unbending dignity I have -already spoken, feeling himself unwell, sent to request that the -surgeon of the English mission might attend him. That -gentleman went; but as he could not speak Persian, he was -accompanied by the relation of the Elchee before noticed. This -cherished friend of mine (who is now, alas! no more) was, from -his knowledge of the language and his pleasing manners, a -general favourite at court, and was distinguished by the Mahomedan -appellation of Feiz-Ali, which had been given from its -resemblance, in their ears, to his English name. The Persian -chief received and treated him and the doctor with such repulsive -coldness and pride, that when he desired a second visit they were -unwilling to return; but the Elchee, anxious to pay every -attention to so near a relation of the king, insisted upon their -going. Their reception this time was exactly opposite to what -it was before. Sūlimān Khan insisted upon their sitting near -him, treated him with sweetmeats and coffee, and laughed at the -doctor, whom he desired to cure a bad eye he had with the touch -of his finger; and on his being answered with a declaration of -inability, said he was rejoiced to find that European physicians<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_218" id="Page_218">[218]</a></span> -had not that magical power with which his countrymen in their -ignorance vested them.</p> - -<p>The two gentlemen returned just as we were on the point of -sitting down to dinner with Hajee Ibrahim. "Well," said the -minister, addressing the Elchee's relation, "how did you find -Sūlimān Khan?" All that had passed was repeated. "Why," -said the Hajee, "the Khan must have been drunk." "Very -possibly," replied my friend; "all I can say is, he was very polite -and very pleasant, and I regret much that he was not drunk at -the first visit we paid him."</p> - -<p>The Hajee was highly diverted with this reply, which he -repeated to the king the same evening; and we learnt that -his majesty next day rallied his relation with great effect, telling -him Feiz-Ali had said he was "a pleasant companion, and a -very polite gentleman, when he was drunk!"</p> - -<p>The other occurrence occasioned still more mirth to the "king -of kings." A number of the first nobles and ministers solicited, -and were permitted, to give dinners to the Elchee. Amongst -these was a near relation of his majesty, called Mahomed -Hoosein Khan. It was expected that this nobleman would -visit the Elchee; but he did not pay this mark of respect. The -consequence was, the Elchee wrote to decline the honour of -waiting upon him. This caused the greatest confusion: Hajee -Ibrahim was sent for several times by the king, and at last -brought a message, intimating, that if the Elchee would give -way on this occasion, his majesty would deem it a personal -favour, and would take care he should never again be placed in -such a situation. The Hajee added his own entreaties, saying, -"If you do not go, the indignity put upon this proud Kajir -chief will be exclusively ascribed to my advice." Consideration -for the minister weighed more with the Elchee than all other -motives, and he agreed to recall his excuse, stating, that he did -so at the express desire of the king.</p> - -<p>The Elchee, when he entered the dinner apartment, though -he must have known his host by the dignified distance at which -he sat from his guests, nevertheless, choosing to mark the -absurdity of going to dine with a man with whose person he was -unacquainted, turned to the mehmandar, and said, "Which of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_219" id="Page_219">[219]</a></span> -these Omrāhs is Mahomed Hoosein Khan Doodākee?" The -poor mehmandar was so confounded that he could only answer -by pointing to the personage inquired after, who now advanced -with an air of offended pride, while the whole assembly looked -astounded.</p> - -<p>Notwithstanding this bad beginning, the party went off very -well, chiefly owing to the pleasant manners and information of -the minister, Rizā Koolee Khan, who exerted himself not a little -to promote good humour.</p> - -<p>We were not aware, till we returned home, of one cause of -the surprise which the interrogation, addressed to the mehmandar, -had occasioned. The Elchee, who understood Persian, -was wholly ignorant of Turkish, and consequently did not know -that the title of Doodākee, which he gave to his host, from -having heard him so called, was not one of honour, but a nick-name, -signifying "Thick-lip," which he had received from the -conformation of that feature, and which was useful in distinguishing -him from a hundred other Mahomed Hoosein Khans -belonging to the Turkish tribe of Kajir.</p> - -<p>The king, we were informed, was delighted with this story, and -used sometime afterward, when our host was standing amongst -other chiefs near the throne, to exclaim, "Which of all these -Omrāhs is Mahomed Hoosein Khan Doodākee?"</p> - -<p>The king passes some hours of every day in the seraglio, or -ladies' apartments. If the character of my little work permitted, -I could here give the rein to my imagination, and create -scenes, which however unreal might still please and interest -many of my readers. I could paint Circassians and Georgians -of surpassing beauty—clothe them in robes and jewels of unparalleled -splendour—give to some the fond but unavailing regrets -of past but not unforgotten early attachments—and to others the -pangs of jealousy, and a torturing sense of love changed for -neglect. I could devise well-planned intrigues, hair-breadth -escapes, and hint at murders committed, where no eye could -see, and no tongue could tell the tale of horror; but all these -exciting subjects are forbidden me, by a stupid rule I have laid -down, which compels me, in all that I personally relate, to limit -myself to facts.</p> - -<p>From what I have heard of the seraglio of the King of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_220" id="Page_220">[220]</a></span> -Persia, many forms observed in it are the same as in the outer -apartments.</p> - -<p>The king, like all good Mahomedans, rises early, as the first -prayer must be said at dawn of day; he is aided in his toilet by -female attendants. After he is dressed he holds a levee, at which -more than three hundred ladies of different ranks are present: -each, according to her rank or favour, standing nearer or farther -from the throne. Two only, I am informed, have the privilege -of being seated-the mother of the heir-apparent, and the -daughter of Ibrahim Khan of Sheesha.</p> - -<p>There are in the seraglio female officers of every description. -A Lady of Requests, a Lady of the Ceremonies, and my Lady -Chief Constable. One duty of the first is to introduce the young -strangers to the notice of their lord and sovereign; the second -marshals all in their station, according to their dignity or consideration; -and the third is armed with an authority which, if -fame speaks true, is not unfrequently called into action.</p> - -<p>The influence of many of the ladies is very great. The -mothers of the princes who are employed in distant provinces -usually accompany their sons, and contrive, by intrigue, to -preserve that power which their charms once gave them: almost -all these pay the king annual visits.</p> - -<p>There are bands of singers and dancers, drolls and mimics, -within the walls of the inner apartments, who contribute -both to his majesty's amusement and that of his ladies. -There are also females who traffic in different wares, and -many of these have the privilege of going out and coming in at -pleasure.</p> - -<p>The King of Persia can only, according to law, marry four -wives: these are selected from considerations of policy, not -of affection. They are upon a very different footing from any -of the other ladies in the seraglio; they have separate establishments, -and are always objects of attention and respect, -though seldom perhaps of affection. But real love can hardly -be imagined to have ever found a dwelling amid such scenes as -have been described; yet I was told a short but affecting tale, -with so many circumstances to confirm its truth, that I could -hardly doubt but the king of kings once knew the meaning of -this sacred word.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_221" id="Page_221">[221]</a></span></p> - -<p>A young dancing-girl from Shiraz, named Tootee,<a name="FNanchor_133_133" id="FNanchor_133_133"></a><a href="#Footnote_133_133" class="fnanchor">[133]</a> was raised -from a humble rank to a place in the royal seraglio. Tootee, -who from her profession must in her earliest years have been -seen by many, is said to have been of an elegant and delicate -form, with a fine voice, and a face that indicated feeling and -intelligence. She gained the heart of her royal lover, and, -according to fame, gave him all her own in return. While -she lived, others were neglected; but this fair flower soon -drooped and died. The grief of the king was excessive. He -directed her to be interred near the shrine of the holy Shāh -Abd-ool-Azeem, which is within five miles of the capital. His -visits to this shrine have, since this event, become much more -frequent than before; whether they are from respect to the -remains of the saint, or from fond regret of his beloved Tootee, -cannot be determined; but he is often observed to sit upon her -tomb, in the apparent enjoyment of a melancholy pleasure.</p> - -<p>Notwithstanding the habits of his condition, and the severe -and cruel acts to which that has often led him, there is naturally -a kind disposition in the present King of Persia, which has made -me always regard him as deserving of estimation, and I cannot -but take an interest in all that personally concerns him.</p> - -<p>It is from such feelings, that the short history and fate of -Tootee have ever interested me. I have been gratified to think, -that the mind of one I desired to hold in regard was not so completely -corrupted and polluted by sensual indulgence and luxury, -as to be a stranger to a passion which, in any shape that approaches -to purity, softens and ennobles man, far beyond all other -sentiments that are associated with his happiness in this world.</p> - -<p>The king leaves his inner apartments at eight o'clock. An -hour or two before breakfast is passed with his favourite companions, -of whom Mahomed Hoosein Khan Mervee is, as he -merits to be, the most distinguished, both from his rank and -superior qualities.</p> - -<p>The breakfast for his majesty is served in great state, and the -dishes are of pure gold: this meal is usually at ten in the morning, -and dinner at eight in the evening.</p> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_222" id="Page_222">[222]</a></span></p> -<p>The trays which contain the royal meals are sealed up by the -head of the household, an office of great trust; and while this -precaution is taken against poison, a physician attends lest the -royal appetite should be indulged to an excess that might injure -health. I fear, however, this wise man is not so successful in -enforcing abstemiousness as he who watched over the renowned -sovereign of Barrataria!</p> - -<p>No person is allowed to eat with the king, but he has generally -one or two of his youngest sons near him, to whom he gives of -the dishes which he thinks they like best; he also, at times, as a -mark of great favour, sends victuals dressed for himself to others. -The Elchee was often honoured with presents of bread, rice, and -pillaw. These specimens of culinary art satisfied me, that his -majesty's cooks merited all the praises I had heard bestowed on -them.</p> - -<p>When the first mission took its departure from Teheran, the -king was most gracious. We all received fine dresses from his -majesty: that given to the Elchee was most splendid; and he -had besides a handsome horse, and a dagger richly set with -jewels. There was much anxiety that he should dress in these -robes; but though he expressed himself willing to wear any of -them which could be put over his own clothes, he could not, he -said, put off any part of his uniform. The king, very good-humouredly, -alluded to his tenacity in this particular, at our last -visit: "You were unjust to your own appearance, Elchee," -said he; "had you put on the cap I sent, you would have looked -one of the tallest men in Persia."</p> - -<p>The leave we took of Hajee Ibrahim was marked by some circumstances -which made it truly affecting. This extraordinary -man had become very intimate with the Elchee, to whom he -communicated his anticipation of being soon put to death. "The -king and his ministers," said he, "are all anxious to destroy -me. Your arrival has delayed for a time the execution of their -designs, but it is only for a short period. I could easily save -myself; but Persia would again be plunged in warfare. My -object," he continued, "has been to give my country one king; -I cared not whether he was a Zend or a Kajir, so that there was -an end of internal distraction. I have seen enough of these -scenes of blood; I will be concerned in no more of them. I<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_223" id="Page_223">[223]</a></span> -hope I have made my peace with God, and shall therefore die -contented."</p> - -<p>The Elchee, who had succeeded in effecting an outward reconciliation -between Hajee Ibrahim and the other ministers, -Meerzā Seffee and Meerzā Rizā Koolee, took this opportunity -of beseeching his friend to treat these personages with more -consideration and respect. He also earnestly exhorted him to bear -with more temper than he did the occasional fits of ill-humour -and violence of the king.</p> - -<p>"I cannot alter my nature," said the Hajee; "it is plain and -downright: besides, the conduct you recommend would be of -no use; it would only precipitate my fate. The fears of my -enemies would lead them to conclude that it covered some deep -design."</p> - -<p>This conversation passed two days before our departure; and -the day on which it occurred the Hajee appeared very melancholy. -The Elchee had been in the habit of taking great notice of, and -playing with, the minister's youngest son, a fine boy of five years -of age. The child, who was well trained in Persian etiquette, -had remained quiet till he saw the Elchee move towards the door; -he then ran after him, and in trying to lay hold of his clothes, -fell on his face, and burst into tears. The Hajee, forgetting all -forms in parental feeling, ran forward also, and taking his son in -his arms, said—"Thou hast a heart, my child! thou hast a -heart;<a name="FNanchor_134_134" id="FNanchor_134_134"></a><a href="#Footnote_134_134" class="fnanchor">[134]</a> but God," said he, in a lower tone, to the Elchee, -"has informed him he is soon to lose his father, and taught him -where to look for a friend."</p> - -<p>The anticipations of the minister proved just: though his fate -was delayed for two years, chiefly from the influence of the king's -mother, who well knew the value of such a servant as Hajee -Ibrahim. Her death left the field open to his enemies, who -fabricated every accusation that could work upon either the pride -or fears of the king, to make him destroy one whom they at -once dreaded and hated. Their arts were but too successful; -and the high and disdainful manner in which this truly great man -repelled the charges brought against him caused his being put to -a cruel death. His brothers and sons were, according to the -barbarous usage in Persia, included in his sentence. These, -though residing in different parts of the kingdom, were all seized -(so well arranged was the plan) on the same day, and the same -hour. Some were put to death, others lost their eyes; all their -property was confiscated. Indeed the plunder of the accumulated -wealth of the family who had so long enjoyed power probably -tended, with other motives, in producing this melancholy termination -to its fame and fortune.</p> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_224" id="Page_224">[224]</a></span></p> -<p>It is stated, that though the king endeavours to persuade himself -Hajee Ibrahim meant to rebel, and that his throne was -endangered by the existence of this powerful subject, he is often -visited with remorse at his own conduct towards him. On occasions -of emergency to the state he has been frequently known -to reproach his present ministers with the loss to Persia which -their arts and jealousies had caused, exclaiming, "Where is -Hajee Ibrahim? he alone was fit to give counsel to a monarch."</p> - -<p>It may perhaps be received as a proof of the king's sentiments -upon this subject, that, being aware of the affecting scene which -had taken place with the youngest son of Hajee Ibrahim on the -Elchee's leaving Teheran in 1800, he directed, on his second -mission to Persia, that the sightless youth, who had enjoyed such -favour as a child, might meet us on our advance, and receive, as -he did in the notice and sympathy of his early friend, all the -consolation which could be administered to one in his melancholy -condition.</p> - -<div class="footnotes"><h3>FOOTNOTES:</h3> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_123_123" id="Footnote_123_123"></a><a href="#FNanchor_123_123"><span class="label">[123]</span></a> Deevān-Beg.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_124_124" id="Footnote_124_124"></a><a href="#FNanchor_124_124"><span class="label">[124]</span></a> Khoosh-Amedee.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_125_125" id="Footnote_125_125"></a><a href="#FNanchor_125_125"><span class="label">[125]</span></a> Fatteh Ali Khan Noovee.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_126_126" id="Footnote_126_126"></a><a href="#FNanchor_126_126"><span class="label">[126]</span></a> "Amma Keneezekee," the expression used by his majesty, means -literally—But a little lady.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_127_127" id="Footnote_127_127"></a><a href="#FNanchor_127_127"><span class="label">[127]</span></a> Mehdee Ali Khan, a Persian gentleman, who had been deputed the year -before to Persia by Mr. Duncan, Governor of Bombay.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_128_128" id="Footnote_128_128"></a><a href="#FNanchor_128_128"><span class="label">[128]</span></a> "Reesh-e-Seffeed," literally grey-beard, is the Persian term for an -elder.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_129_129" id="Footnote_129_129"></a><a href="#FNanchor_129_129"><span class="label">[129]</span></a> Jonas Hanway was at Astrabad in 1744, during the rebellion of the -ancestor of the present king.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_130_130" id="Footnote_130_130"></a><a href="#FNanchor_130_130"><span class="label">[130]</span></a> "Ket-khūdā-e-avvel."</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_131_131" id="Footnote_131_131"></a><a href="#FNanchor_131_131"><span class="label">[131]</span></a> "Kibla-e-Alem," is the universal term his subjects apply when speaking -to the king of Persia. Kibla is the point to which Mahomedans turn when -they pray: Alem signifies the world.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_132_132" id="Footnote_132_132"></a><a href="#FNanchor_132_132"><span class="label">[132]</span></a> The Deriā-e-Noor, or sea of light, weighs 186 carats, and is considered -to be the diamond of the finest lustre in the world. The Tāj-e-Māh, or -"crown of the moon," is also a splendid diamond; it weighs 146 carats. -These two are the principal in a pair of bracelets, valued at near a million -sterling. Those in the crown are also of extraordinary size and value.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_133_133" id="Footnote_133_133"></a><a href="#FNanchor_133_133"><span class="label">[133]</span></a> "Tootee," is the Persian word for a parrot, a bird which is prominent -in Persian tales for its knowledge and habits of attachment.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_134_134" id="Footnote_134_134"></a><a href="#FNanchor_134_134"><span class="label">[134]</span></a> Dil dāree tifl, dil dāree.</p></div></div> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_225" id="Page_225">[225]</a></span></p> - - -<h2>CHAPTER XIX.</h2> - -<blockquote> - -<p>Progress of the Russians—Buonaparte—Second Visit to Tullanca—King -Abbas Meerzā—Reflections—Electrifying Machine—Phantasmagoria—Ministers -of the Persian Court—Mahomed Hoosein Khan Mervee.</p></blockquote> - - -<p>Ten years had elapsed since my first visit to the court of Persia, -and many changes had occurred, both in men and measures. The -Russians, within this short period, had advanced their frontier -from the north of the Caucasus to the banks of the Araxes, a -space of above four hundred miles. Buonaparte had laid his -plans for chaining the bear of Russia and the lion of Persia, -with the design of harnessing them to the his war-chariot, that -he might drive in triumph over the rich plains of India. His -name was familiar to numbers in Persia, and some few understood -the character of his power. Among these was my shrewd -old friend Aga Mahomed Cāsim-Wālā,<a name="FNanchor_135_135" id="FNanchor_135_135"></a><a href="#Footnote_135_135" class="fnanchor">[135]</a> of Isfahan, who is at -once a professor, a poet, a philosopher, and a very inquisitive -politician. "This Buonaparte," said he to me one morning, -when I paid him a visit in his apartment at the college, "is a -wonderful man; he wields empires as if they were clubs. After -he has settled with Turkey, he will, unless our king shapes his -policy to his liking, give Persia a knock on the head with Russia, -and then make use of both to overthrow your power in India. -Happen what will," said old Aga Mahomed, "he is a magnificent -fellow, a perfect Faringee Chenghiz Khan."<a name="FNanchor_136_136" id="FNanchor_136_136"></a><a href="#Footnote_136_136" class="fnanchor">[136]</a></p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_226" id="Page_226">[226]</a></span></p> - -<p>I am treading on forbidden ground; I have nothing to say to -politics: if I had, this chapter might be more amusing. I -could tell of French and English schemes for harlequin-changes, -which were to leave my Persian friends no remains of barbarism -but their beards! of Mahomedan princes trained to be reformers, -of the sudden introduction of the fine arts, and of the -roving tribes of Tartary and the wild mountaineers of Fars becoming, -by the proper use of a few cabalistical phrases, disciplined -regiments. These, and many similar transformations, were meant -to prove that we lived in an age when any instructed or enlightened -man might, if furnished with the necessary implements -of pen, ink, and paper, effect any given change, on any given -nation, in a few months.</p> - -<p>This was not the first time that such experiments had been -tried in Persia; for, besides a knowledge of the civil and -military arts of Europe, efforts had been made to teach the -Seffavean monarchs and their nobles to understand the laws, -institutions, and governments of the more civilized world. The -sarcastic and penetrating Gibbon, when speaking of the attempt, -observes, "Chardin says that European travellers have diffused -among the Persians some ideas of the freedom and mildness of -our governments: they have done them a very ill office." This -may be too severe; but if instruction is of a character to -diminish happiness, without furthering improvement, he would -be bold who should call it a blessing. A medicine may be excellent -in itself, yet, from the peculiar habits and constitution of -the patient, it may act as a poison. These and many similar -sentences of wisdom I have now and then uttered, when talking -about the proposed sudden regeneration of the Eastern world, -but I never could obtain a hearing. My plans of slow and -almost imperceptible change, which were not confined to the -teaching half a dozen individuals, but embraced a whole people -in their operation, have been ridiculed as proving nothing but -the sluggishness of my understanding. When I have pleaded<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_227" id="Page_227">[227]</a></span> -experience, I have been accused of giving that name to prejudice; -my toleration of systems out of my power to alter, and -interwoven with every feeling, habit, and enjoyment of the communities -in which they prevail, has been referred to my narrow -views; and all my pretensions to discernment and judgment -have been called in question because I have persuaded myself, -and tried to persuade others, that Asiatics, though they are not -so fair as we are, though they are of a different religion, speak -a different language, and have neither made the same advances -in science nor in civilization, are, notwithstanding these disadvantages, -not altogether destitute of good and great qualities, -both of head and heart.</p> - -<p>Liable as I am to such accusations, I must cautiously limit -myself to facts, which I know from observation, or have heard -from persons worthy of credit; but should my reader detect me -in the sin of taking a more favourable view of human nature -than its merits, I shall hope to be forgiven; while I pray that -the stranger, who visits the land of my nativity, may come to it -with a mind disposed rather to dwell on its green and fertile -valleys, than upon its rugged rocks and bleak mountains. May -he find enough of sound and good feeling among its inhabitants -to make him look with indulgence on their failings and excesses. -If he quarrels with that luxury and refinement, which, -by supplying, multiply the wants of men; if he doubts the -good of many of the laws and institutions which belong to an -artificial society, the frame and workings of which the labour of -a life would not enable him to comprehend, may he contemplate -it in a spirit of humility, which rather leads him to -question the correctness of his own judgment, than to pronounce, -on a superficial glance, that every thing is wrong, which -does not accord with his own habits and feelings.</p> - -<p>When the second mission reached his court, the King of -Persia was encamped at his summer-quarters of Sooltāneah, an -extensive plain, whose elevation gives it a pleasant temperature -during the hot season. The Elchee was welcomed, on his approach -to the camp, by his old friend Nou Rōz Khan, whose -personal appearance was unchanged by the ten years which had -intervened since our last meeting. His manner, as usual, was -cordial and frank; and he seemed particularly delighted to<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_228" id="Page_228">[228]</a></span> -inform the Elchee of the king's continued favour. "His -majesty," said Nou Rōz Khan, "desires me to say that he will -be delighted to see you, and bids me assure you, that if you -have met with any obstacles or difficulties on this mission,<a name="FNanchor_137_137" id="FNanchor_137_137"></a><a href="#Footnote_137_137" class="fnanchor">[137]</a> they -have not been occasioned by him."</p> - -<p>The ceremonies of our approach to court, and of our visit to -the king, prince, and ministers, were exactly the same as on the -first mission. The king was, if possible, more friendly and -gracious. Among other proofs of personal favour, he insisted -on bestowing a distinguished mark of his regard on the Elchee, -and the order of the Lion and Sun (the arms of Persia) was -created for that purpose.<a name="FNanchor_138_138" id="FNanchor_138_138"></a><a href="#Footnote_138_138" class="fnanchor">[138]</a> The investiture of this order took -place on our visit of leave. Dresses of honour were sent for -the Elchee and his suite. When we came to the tent at the -entrance into the king's pavilion, we were met by one of the -chief ministers, and a fermān or royal mandate was read, conferring -on the Elchee the title of Khan or Lord, with the rank -of Sipāh-Silār or General. This fermān was then placed in his -hat, it being the custom for a Persian noble, on receiving any -honorary title from his king, to wear the patent of creation in -his cap when he goes to court to return thanks. After we were -seated, his majesty congratulated the Elchee on his accession of -rank. "When you came here first," he said, "you were a -Captain; you are now a General in your own country; I have -made you a Khan and Sipāh-Silār in mine. At your next visit, -which must be soon, I shall expect you to be a Fermān-Fermāee -or Ruler: but approach nearer."</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_229" id="Page_229">[229]</a></span></p> - -<p>The Elchee rose, and went up to the throne, on which the -king was seated; and his majesty, taking up a diamond-star, -began to pin it on the Elchee's coat. It was evidently the -first time the royal hands had been so employed. "The king"—a -title by which he often speaks of himself—"the king," -said he, "does not understand this kind of business;" and -he laughed heartily at his own awkwardness. However, he -would not allow any one to help him, and having at length -accomplished the task, he again congratulated the Elchee, -saying, "You are now confirmed in my service; I can show -no higher favour than this. And that star on your breast will -convince all the world of the regard in which the king holds you."</p> - -<p>Nothing was wanting to render this farewell audience kind -and gracious. His majesty, on our rising to take leave, expressed -his hope of seeing the Elchee again, saying, "Every second has -a third;"<a name="FNanchor_139_139" id="FNanchor_139_139"></a><a href="#Footnote_139_139" class="fnanchor">[139]</a> and when we were fifty yards from the throne, and -making our last bow, departing from all usage, he exclaimed -in a loud voice, to the Elchee, "Once more may God preserve -you." The courtiers looked amazed at this deviation from -established form; and the prime minister told the Elchee he -ought to value it far beyond all the honours conferred upon -him.</p> - -<p>Enough has been said of the king: it remains to speak of the -heir-apparent. I one day accompanied the Elchee to a review -of some regular infantry, to which Abbas Meerzā had invited -him, and at which his highness commanded in person, and put -the troops through all their manœuvres. When this review was -over, he requested to see the Elchee's escort, consisting of a -select party of English dragoons, some native cavalry from -India, and a brigade of horse-artillery. He expressed great -admiration of the manner in which this small body went through -their evolutions, and said, with such models he trusted soon to -have a fine army. This hope the Elchee's answer did not -encourage. On a subsequent visit to the prince the topic was -renewed; and I was somewhat surprised to find the Elchee so -little of a courtier as to express the same sentiments to a prince, -whose ears, it was evident, had long been soothed by far different -language. Abbas Meerzā listened with great patience, but his -uneasy feelings were evident. "Why, from what you state," he -observed, with much emotion, "I shall be an old man before I -can make any progress with my present plans; and after all, they -are likely to come to nothing." The Elchee said he was bound -by his regard for his highness to speak the truth. "I am much -obliged to you," answered the prince; "you think, I perceive, -that the irregular horse of Persia are the best defence of our -country; but they can never do what regular troops and cannon -can." "But they can do much that regular troops and cannon -cannot," replied the Elchee. "That is true," said the prince; -and here ended the conversation. Neither party seemed convinced; -Abbas Meerzā continuing firm in his resolution to -follow up his plans of improvement, and the Elchee appearing -equally satisfied that these plans were nowise suited either to -the present condition of Persia or the character of its people.</p> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_230" id="Page_230">[230]</a></span></p> -<p>Abbas Meerzā was, at this time, a young prince of engaging -manners, handsome in person, and gifted with quickness and -discernment. Owing to his intercourse with Europeans, he had -thrown off many of those habits of state and ceremony which are -so punctiliously observed by persons of high rank in Persia. He -was now exercising his battalions, and he rode along the lines without -an attendant. After the review, seeing the Elchee's curricle -with a pair of fine Arab horses, he desired to have a drive. It -was the first carriage of the kind he had ever been in, and he was -quite delighted. As the horses trotted along the road to -Teheran, he ordered his attendants to return. "Go," said he, -laughing, "and tell my father I am on my way to his capital -with the Elchee."</p> - -<p>The curricle which had so delighted the prince was afterwards -given to the king, who was equally pleased with it; and still -more with the rapid movements and quick firing of two pieces of -horse-artillery, which were presented to him. "These," he said, -"will destroy all my enemies." The Elchee stated that what -he had brought were only models, which the ingenuity of his -majesty's subjects would soon copy; and suggested that it would -be necessary to make roads for wheel carriages; and roads, he<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_231" id="Page_231">[231]</a></span> -added, if generally introduced, would be found alike useful for -pleasure, for commerce, and for war.</p> - -<p>The wisdom which prompted this advice was lauded to the -skies. Roads were admitted to be a great and obvious improvement, -at once ornamental and profitable to Persia. Plans for -making and keeping them in repair were required and furnished. -The royal mandate, the Elchee was told, should be issued immediately: -and he was much pleased at the thought of having given -rise to a measure so good, and which he considered as preparing -the way for the permanent improvement of the country. But, -aware of the difficulties likely to obstruct the plan, he begged -the minister of finance, Ameen-ood-Douleh, to confine the first -attempt to the communication between Sooltāneah, Teheran, and -Tebreez; and advised that the results of this experiment should -determine the further prosecution of the scheme.</p> - -<p>The minister of finance, who was as remarkable for his plain -manners as for his plain sense, acknowledged the justice of this -suggestion. "But you know Persia," was his concluding significant -remark; which sufficiently informed the Elchee that his -project of road-making, however easy of execution, from the -nature of the country and climate, would share the fate of other -schemes, which it was then the fashion at the court of Persia -to adopt, commence, and abandon. These highways required -labour; which labour, political economists would have told the -king, must be paid for by money, by provisions, or by the remission -of other exactions. But this information would have -been of little benefit, for I never knew a man, who, with all his -good qualities, would listen with so little patience to political -economists, as the king of kings, Fatteh Ali Shāh; for that -monarch, besides the habits and prejudices of his condition, has -personally an insurmountable objection to all measures which -include disbursement.</p> - -<p>Time may do much with my Persian friends, but we must not -expect to hurry that tardy-paced worker of miracles. We may -inspire a few with that thirst for real glory, which desires to -create, not to destroy; others may be instructed in science; but -even in those whom we may elevate above their countrymen, -early habits and national prejudices will still be too strong for -us. Their speeches and their writings may exhibit enlightened<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_232" id="Page_232">[232]</a></span> -minds; but their actions will follow their established usages and -ordinary habits; and their conduct will too often be what it was -formerly. Like the lady-cat in the fable, they will be apt to -spring from the board we have spread for them, whenever a -mouse shows itself.</p> - -<p>When the first mission was at Teheran, we found a chief -there, called Ali Mahomed Khan, who had been compelled, by -some political revolutions, to quit Cabool, and take refuge in -Persia. He was a man of rank, and had been received and -treated with hospitality and distinction by the king, who signified -to the Elchee his wish, that he should take this nobleman to -India, whither he was desirous of going. This request was the -more readily complied with, as the Elchee had found Ali Mahomed -a pleasant, and apparently a sensible man. I became very -intimate with him; and when we arrived at Calcutta, I took -great pleasure in showing him that splendid capital of the British -dominions in the East. I pointed out the crowded shipping in -its noble river; the elegant streets thronged with carriages; the -newly-erected palace of its ruler; its college; the magnificent -abodes of public officers and wealthy merchants; all, in short, -that could impress him with an idea of the happy results of -civilization.</p> - -<p>Seeing my friend quite delighted with the contemplation of -this rich scene, I asked him, with some exultation, what he -thought of it? "A wonderful place to plunder!"<a name="FNanchor_140_140" id="FNanchor_140_140"></a><a href="#Footnote_140_140" class="fnanchor">[140]</a> was his -reply; and his eyes glistened as he made it, with anticipated -enjoyment.</p> - -<p>I mentioned this anecdote to my Christian friend, Khojah -Arratoon, our treasurer. "Ay, ay," said the old man, "nature -will come out. What you have related verifies our Armenian -proverb: they were preaching the Gospel over the head of a wolf—'Stop!' -said he; 'I see a flock of sheep passing.'"</p> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_233" id="Page_233">[233]</a></span></p> -<p>I do not mean, in what I have here said, to condemn national -efforts to spread knowledge, nor to deny that such endeavours -may in due season produce happy effects; but such results will -be retarded, not accelerated, by all attempts at rapid and premature -changes. In endeavouring to effect these, we are often as -absurd in our admiration of individuals, to whom a few of our -own favourite lights have been imparted, as in our condemnation -of those whom we conceive to remain in their primitive darkness. -We altogether forget that it is from the general condition -of the country that the character of the population is chiefly -formed. Hereditary and undisputed succession to the throne, -though it may not diminish the frequency of foreign wars, nor -prevent the shedding of human blood, gives an internal security, -which leads to the introduction of a system that enables such a -state to have efficient and permanent civil and military establishments; -and it also gives, to a great proportion of its subjects, a -valuable leisure to pursue science and literature, which gradually -lead to further improvements in society. But in countries like -Persia all government is personal; institutions and establishments -rise and fall with the caprice of a sovereign; and supposing -him steady in his objects, still the probability is, that -they prosper and die with their founder; and while their basis -is so unstable, and their duration so uncertain, they cannot be -permanently efficient or useful.</p> - -<p>Revolutions of such a nature as we desire will work themselves -into form, when time changes men's sentiment, and ripens a -nation for them; but we too often, in the foolish pride of our -knowledge, rush towards the end, with little or no consideration -about the means. In our precocious plans, we cast the blame -from that on which it ought to rest, upon those we desire to -reform. Because men continue, like their ancestors, to live -under an arbitrary monarch, and have not the precise qualities -upon which we value ourselves, we hasten to the conclusion that -they are slaves and barbarians, whom the force of habit and -prejudice alone saves from being as miserable as they are degraded. -Viewing them in this light, we waste a pity upon them -which they neither value nor understand; nor has it, if we -analyze its grounds, any just foundation. Though unacquainted -with political freedom, though superficial in science, and unlearned -in Greek or Latin, they are not without defences against -injustice or despotism; and the very condition of their society -gives them, on all points affecting themselves, their families, or -friends, an intuitive quickness and clearness of perception, which -appears wonderful to men rendered dull, as it were, by civilization. -Neither are such nations deficient in those arts, which are<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_234" id="Page_234">[234]</a></span> -subservient to the subsistence, and promote the enjoyments of -man; and they are perhaps more alive than we improved beings -to those passions whence so much of our happiness and misery -flow.</p> - -<p>I have travelled much, but have found little difference in the -aggregate of human felicity. My pride and patriotism have -often been flattered by the complaints and comparisons of the -discontented; but I have never met any considerable number of -a tribe or nation, who would have exchanged their condition for -that of any other people upon the earth. When I have succeeded, -as I often did, in raising admiration and envy, by dwelling -upon the advantages of the British government, I have -invariably found that these feelings vanished, when I explained -more specifically the sacrifices of personal liberty, the restraints -of the law, and the burden of taxation, by which these advantages -are purchased. It was the old story of the Arab nurse, who -could not endure England because there were no date trees; and -the King of Persia, who, though feeling all the insecurity of his -own crown, could not for a moment tolerate the thoughts of -wearing that of England, which would have reduced him to -only one wife!</p> - -<p>Such observations should have made me humble; but they -did not. I continued to value myself on my superiority; and -when in Persia, was as eager as any of our party to parade my -knowledge, particularly in science (which, by-the-bye, was my -weak point), and to enjoy the wonder which its display produced.</p> - -<p>One of the chief means of astonishing our Persian friends, on -the first mission, was an electrifying machine, with the effects of -which we surprised and alarmed all, from majesty itself to the -lowest peasant.</p> - -<p>When it was exhibiting at Shiraz, for the gratification of -Cherāgh Ali Khan, who had come to pay the Elchee a visit, this -formal minister expressed himself satisfied with the sparks he -saw elicited, and the slight shocks which were given to others. -He declined receiving one himself, though he expressed a conviction -that he was above being startled, like those upon whom he -had seen the experiment tried. This great man, having very -condescendingly taken a walk into the garden to give his attendants -an opportunity of seeing the effects of the wonderful machine,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_235" id="Page_235">[235]</a></span> -returned while they were encircling the operator (our doctor) -and holding each other's hands in expectation of the shock. It -is, in Persia, deemed very indecorous for any one to have his -back turned when a man of rank enters the apartment; but for -domestics to behave in this manner is an almost inexpiable offence. -The good people of whom I speak were, however, in too breathless -a state of expectation to observe the approach of their lord, -who, enraged by this apparent rudeness, seized, with a most -indignant air, the shoulder of one of them, to take him to task. -At this moment, whether by accident or design has never yet -been discovered, the shock was given. Each quitted the hold of -his neighbour, and started back; while Cherāgh Ali Khan, who -felt it the more from its being unexpected, staggered against the -wall, and looked the very picture of terror.</p> - -<p>The Elchee, who had entered the room with him, could not -repress his mirth. This was the signal for all; and even the -lowest of the domestics went away tittering at what had befallen -their magnificent master, who, after a short pause, during which -dignity had a struggle with good sense, allowed the latter to gain -the victory, and laughed like others at what had occurred.</p> - -<p>At Isfahan all were delighted with the electric machine, except -one renowned doctor and lecturer of the college, who, envious of -the popularity gained by this display of our superior science, -contended publicly, that the effects produced were moral, not -physical—that it was the mummery we practised, and the state -of nervous agitation we excited, which produced an ideal shock: -but he expressed his conviction, that a man of true firmness of -mind would stand unmoved by all we could produce out of our -glass bottle, as he scoffingly termed our machine. He was invited -to the experiment, and declared his readiness to attend at the -next visit the Begler-Beg paid the Elchee.</p> - -<p>The day appointed soon arrived. The Begler-Beg came with -a numerous retinue, and amongst others the doctor, whom we -used to call "Red Stockings," from his usually wearing scarlet -hose. He was, we found, notwithstanding his learning and reputed -science, often made an object of mirth in the circles of the -great and wealthy at Isfahan, to whom he furnished constant -matter of amusement, from the pertinacity with which he maintained -his dogmas. He had nearly, we were told, lost his life<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_236" id="Page_236">[236]</a></span> -the year before, by marching up to a large buck-antelope, which -was known to be vicious, but which, according to the theory of -the philosopher, was to be overawed by the erect dignity of man, -provided he was fearlessly approached. The consequence of this -experiment was different from what the theorist expected. The -wild animal very unceremoniously butted the doctor into a deep -dry ditch in the field where he was grazing, and the learned man -was confined to his bed nearly three months, during which, he -had ample time to consider the causes of this unlooked-for event.</p> - -<p>Though the above and similar instances might afford reason -for concluding, that Red Stockings, with all his philosophy, was -not overwise, I discovered that he maintained his ground in the -first society, by means common in Persia as in other countries. -He was, in fact, "a little of the fool,<a name="FNanchor_141_141" id="FNanchor_141_141"></a><a href="#Footnote_141_141" class="fnanchor">[141]</a> and not too much of the -honest." This impression of his character, combined with his -presumption, made us less scrupulous in our preparations to render -him an example for all who might hereafter doubt the effects -of our boasted electricity; and indeed our Persian visitors seemed -anxious that the effect should be such as to satisfy the man who -had dared us to the trial, that it was physical, not moral.</p> - -<p>The philosopher, notwithstanding various warnings, came -boldly up, took hold of the chain with both hands, planted his -feet firmly, shut his teeth, and evidently called forth all his -resolution to resist the shock. It was given; and poor Red -Stockings dropt on the floor as if he had been shot. There was a -momentary alarm: but on his almost instant recovery, and the -Elchee explaining that the effect had been increased by the determination -to resist it, all gave way to one burst of laughter. The -good-natured philosopher took no offence. He muttered something -about the re-action of the feelings after being over-strained, -but admitted there was more in the glass-bottle than -he had anticipated.</p> - -<p>As the Persians had become acquainted with electrical machines, -by their increased intercourse with Europeans, the Elchee, -when on his second mission, did not choose again to trust to one -of them for the entertainment of his friends. He purchased, -therefore, for this purpose, a large and excellent phantasmagoria, -which was furnished with numerous glasses; on these were -painted spectres, with shapes monstrous beyond what the poet's -fancy ever bodied forth.</p> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_237" id="Page_237">[237]</a></span></p> -<p>With our phantasmagoria, old and young, rich and poor, were -in raptures. The prince at Shiraz was the first person of royal -blood to whom it was exhibited, and he declared his wonder and -delight at this extraordinary invention. Persons were instructed -to exhibit it to his ladies, who, we learned, were enchanted with -its effects; and his mother,<a name="FNanchor_142_142" id="FNanchor_142_142"></a><a href="#Footnote_142_142" class="fnanchor">[142]</a> an able princess, who had long -exercised supreme authority over him and the province of Fars, -declaring herself gratified beyond measure at the wonders she -had seen.</p> - -<p>What rendered the phantasmagoria more attractive, was the -ingenuity and talent of a young man from India,<a name="FNanchor_143_143" id="FNanchor_143_143"></a><a href="#Footnote_143_143" class="fnanchor">[143]</a> who had -charge of it. Besides being an adept in exhibiting it, he made -frames, and painted, as occasion required, the glass he placed in -them, with all kinds of Persian figures; and part of the story -told in the day was sometimes exhibited at the Elchee's evening -entertainments, which were often attended by dignified persons, -who had before withheld their presence from regard to punctilious -ceremony, but could not resist their curiosity. Thus our phantasmagoria -became an important implement of diplomacy.</p> - -<p>The Prince of Persia was anxious to possess this treasure, but -as its fame had preceded the mission, it was not judged politic -to disappoint the excited expectations of majesty; our magical -box therefore accompanied us, and produced equal effects at the -great court assembled at Sooltāneah, as it had at that of Shiraz.</p> - -<p>The Elchee took particular pleasure, in the astonishment produced -by his phantasmagoria. I one day suggested that wise -and grave men, filling high stations, might expose themselves to -ridicule from being amused by such trifles, and employing them -as means of amusing and gratifying others. His quick reply -was, "The man who is always wise, is a fool! and he, above all -others, is most foolish, who, entrenched in forms and observances, -neglects to use every honest means with which human nature -supplies him, to promote fair and honourable objects. Besides," -he added, "this amuses me, as much as any grown-up child in -Persia, and it is from my keen-sighted guests observing that my -enjoyment is real, that they are so much delighted. Were I to -parade my superiority, by denying myself this, and other gratifications, -which may be deemed trifling by men of measured -manners, they would also be reserved and dignified, and we -should become a group of those formalists, whom our great philosopher<a name="FNanchor_144_144" id="FNanchor_144_144"></a><a href="#Footnote_144_144" class="fnanchor">[144]</a> -has described, as always using shifts and perspectives, to -make superficies seem body that hath depth and bulk."</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_238" id="Page_238">[238]</a></span></p> - -<p>After this answer, in which those that know him as well as I -do will discover that the Elchee had succeeded in persuading -himself, that his natural love of amusement was a valuable -diplomatic quality; I, as a true follower of a mission, found it -necessary to acquiesce in his reasoning, and must, therefore, -recommend phantasmagorias, or something similar, as of essential -importance to the success of all future embassies to Persia!</p> - -<p>I found, on this second mission, that the duties of Hajee -Ibrahim had, at his death, been divided amongst several ministers. -My old friend, Hajee Mahomed Hoosein, who had been so kind -to us on the first mission, when he was Begler-Beg of Isfahan, -was now, under the title of Ameen-ood-Douleh,<a name="FNanchor_145_145" id="FNanchor_145_145"></a><a href="#Footnote_145_145" class="fnanchor">[145]</a> at the head of -the finance and revenue department. He had risen from a low -origin, that of a small shopkeeper in Isfahan. The Persians, -who delight in the wonderful, spoke of his riches as immense, -and they referred the origin of that wealth (which enabled him -to preserve the favour of the king, by satisfying his cupidity) to -his having obtained part of the royal treasure, which was lost at -Isfahan by Jaffier Khan Zend, when he fled, in the year 1785, -in such confusion from that city, that not only his baggage and -treasures, but the ensigns of royalty, were plundered by its -inhabitants.</p> - -<p>This account may have some foundation, but inquiry and -observation satisfied me, that the wealth of this sensible minister -arises out of those more honourable sources which his industry -and good management have created. Suffice it, as a proof of -this fact, to state, that every province under him is prosperous; -and the city of Isfahan has more than doubled its inhabitants, -and quadrupled its manufacture of rich silk and brocade, during -the twenty years that he has been its governor.</p> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_239" id="Page_239">[239]</a></span></p> -<p>Hajee Mahomed Hoosein<a name="FNanchor_146_146" id="FNanchor_146_146"></a><a href="#Footnote_146_146" class="fnanchor">[146]</a> is a man of great simplicity of -manners, and neither has, nor pretends to, any of that wit, or -brilliancy in conversation, for which many of the Persians are -so distinguished. He is rather dull in company, and appears -what he really is, a plain man of business. A friend of mine one -day breakfasting with him, was surprised to hear him say to a -poor man, who brought a pair of slippers to sell, "Sit down my -honest friend, and take your breakfast; we will bargain about -the slippers afterwards."</p> - -<p>This admission of inferiors to their society at meals is not, -however, uncommon with men of rank in Persia. It arises out -of a sense of the sacred duties of hospitality, and out of parade, -if they have not the reality of that humility so strongly -inculcated in the Koran. Besides, their character and condition -often disposes them to relax with those beneath them, and even -with menial servants, whom they admit to a familiarity which at -first view appears contradictory to those impressions we have of -their haughty character. I was one day almost reproached by -Aga Meer, on account of the difference which he observed in our -behaviour to those of our countrymen, who were below us -in condition. "You speak of your consideration for inferiors," -said he to me, "but you keep them at a much greater distance -than we do. Is this your boasted freedom?" I told him that it -was exactly our boasted freedom, which compelled us to the -conduct we observed. "You are so classified in Persia," said I, -"that you can descend from your condition as you like; a man -below you will never presume on your familiarity so far as -to think himself, for a moment, on the same level with those, who -are so entirely distinct from his class in the community. In -England we are all equal in the eye of the law, the rights -of every man are the same; the differences which exist are -merely those of fortune, which place us in the relation of master -and servant; but where there is no other distinction, we are -obliged to preserve that with care, or all forms and respects -would soon be lost."</p> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_240" id="Page_240">[240]</a></span></p> -<p>The good Meerzā admitted that there might be some truth in -what I stated. "But yours is a strange country," he said; "I -shall never quite understand its ways and usages."</p> - -<p>Meerzā Sheffee,<a name="FNanchor_147_147" id="FNanchor_147_147"></a><a href="#Footnote_147_147" class="fnanchor">[147]</a> who styles himself Premier, may be called -the minister of the court; he is a veteran in all its arts, intrigues, -and corruptions. Good-humoured, quick, and flexible, he has -managed to steer his crooked course through a long life, and -still retains his head and his eyes, though both have, no doubt, -been often in danger. The king is attached to him, as an old -servant of the family.</p> - -<p>Rizā Koolee is also an old servant of the Kajir princes. He -is a man of talent; his manners are peculiarly pleasing, and he -is one of the most eloquent persons I have heard in Persia. I -had not the same opportunity of becoming intimately acquainted -with this minister, as with others; but, if common report is to -be believed, he has few superiors in good sense or good feeling. -He has evinced none of that precocious ambition which is so -common with his countrymen. He is reputed to be a modest as -well as a deserving man, and the favour and fortune he has -attained have not been acquired by means which could make him -enemies. By not pressing into the front rank, he has long combined -safety with advancement.<a name="FNanchor_148_148" id="FNanchor_148_148"></a><a href="#Footnote_148_148" class="fnanchor">[148]</a></p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_241" id="Page_241">[241]</a></span></p> - -<p>These are the principal ministers of the king; but Meerzā -Boozoorg, who has long presided, under the title of Kāim Mekām, -over the councils of the heir-apparent, may be said to have much -more influence than any of them in the political department. -He has greater experience, and understands the foreign interests -of his country, better than any other minister; and joins to an -equal temper, a thorough knowledge of the nature of his own -situation, and the characters of those it is his duty to serve and -obey. He amused me one day, by telling me the rule by which -he had hitherto escaped, and trusted he should continue to escape, -the common fate of Persian ministers. "I never," said he, -"accumulate money or property; I have a small inheritance in -land, which has been in my family for centuries; this cannot, in -accordance with usage, be confiscated: and as to every thing -else, I spend it as I get it. This principle is known; and the -king," he added, "often laughs, and says, 'I should not gain one -piastre by the death and plunder of that extravagant fellow, -Meerzā Boozoorg.'"<a name="FNanchor_149_149" id="FNanchor_149_149"></a><a href="#Footnote_149_149" class="fnanchor">[149]</a></p> - -<p>I must not forget in this place to mention Meerzā Abd-ool-Wahhāb, -who has long been, and still continues, the Moonshee-ool-Memālik, -or chief letter-writer of the state; and well he -merits his eminence. I recognised his talent for the sublime, -from the difficulty I had in discovering his meaning, amidst the -clouds of tropes and metaphors with which it is always enveloped. -That, however, is the taste of his country; and the man must have -merit, who stands acknowledged to be the first in an art, in which -all Persians of liberal education strive to excel. His character, -in other respects, is that of a very sensible and respectable man; -though an old Moollāh, a friend of mind, shook his head when I -praised him, and whispered, "All you say may be true, but he -is an inveterate Soofee."</p> - -<p>Among the acquaintances I formed at this second visit, there -was none that interested me in any degree so much as Mahomed -Hoosein Khan of Merv, from whom I heard a short but affecting -account of the vicissitudes of his eventful life. The facts he -narrated exhibit so much of Asiatic character in its best and -worst lights, that they must be acceptable to the reader. Of -their correctness there can be no doubt, being alike confirmed -by the internal evidence of their truth, the corroborating statements -of contemporaries, and the high character of the narrator -of his own extraordinary adventures.</p> - -<p>The city of Merv,<a name="FNanchor_150_150" id="FNanchor_150_150"></a><a href="#Footnote_150_150" class="fnanchor">[150]</a> during the reign of the Seffavean -monarchs, was considered the most important frontier post of -Persia; and in the reign of Tāmāsp the second, its defence was -intrusted to the valour of a branch of the tribe of Kajir. As -the strength of the nation decayed, the chiefs of this tribe were -left, almost unsupported, to resist the attacks of the Tartar tribes -on the Oxus, who made annual inroads upon them. They received -for some years casual aid from the Afghāns of Cabool; but that -government also fell into confusion; and Byrām Ali Khan, the -father of Mahomed Hoosein, had for several years to contend -against that extraordinary bigot, Beggee Jān,<a name="FNanchor_151_151" id="FNanchor_151_151"></a><a href="#Footnote_151_151" class="fnanchor">[151]</a> who had, by an -union of fanaticism and wisdom, consolidated the divided tribes -of this part of Tartary into one government, of which Bokhara -was the capital.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_242" id="Page_242">[242]</a></span></p> -<p>The actions of Byrām Ali, though given on the most authentic -records, appear more like a romance than a history. Suffice it -here to say, he closed, on the banks of the Oxus, a life marked -by the most gallant achievements, leaving his son the city and -walls of Merv (for all its fields were desolate), and the name and -example of a father almost worshipped by his soldiers, and as -much praised when dead, as dreaded while living, by the enemies -of his country.</p> - -<p>Mahomed Hoosein Khan, though quite a youth, defended what -remained of his inheritance with an unsubdued spirit; which -obtained from every one an acknowledgment, that the son was -worthy of his renowned sire. But all his struggles were unavailing, -against the overwhelming numbers of the Oosbegs, who -at last reduced the city to such a state of famine and distress, -that its inhabitants insisted upon their chief surrendering to a -power which it was hopeless any longer to oppose. He was -carried with all his family to Bokhara. I shall give the remainder -of his story in his own words, as nearly as they can be recollected -from his plain but minute relation.</p> - -<p>"Beggee Jān was anxious I should adopt his creed, that of a -Soofee, and abandon what he deemed the errors of the Sheäh -faith. Circumstances compelled me so far to conform, that he -expected my conversion, and for some time treated me and my -family with respect, and even kindness.</p> - -<p>"During a period of some years, having no other employment, -I applied myself to literature, and read all the histories I could -find. I should have continued to spend a contented, if not a -happy life, in such pursuits, had this tranquillity not been -interrupted by the flight of my nephew, Bākir Khan, to the -king of Persia. I was considered as the contriver of his escape,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_243" id="Page_243">[243]</a></span> -and from that moment was looked upon as an enemy of -Beggee Jān.</p> - -<p>"Being aware of the suspicions he entertained, I one day -addressed him in open court. I reminded him of his having -sworn to treat me and mine with kindness, and of the peculiar -obligations which an oath should impose upon a man of his -sanctity. I bade him dismiss his suspicions, and act as he had -hitherto done; or confirm them by an examination of facts, and -to treat me as a criminal if he found that I had in any way acted -contrary to my word, or to that honour which belonged to me -as the chief of a tribe, and a native of Merv, whose inhabitants -had ever been celebrated for strict regard to their pledged faith.</p> - -<p>"Seeing the manly openness of this address had an effect upon -his nobles and attendants, the old hypocrite arose from his seat, -came forward, and kissed my forehead, while he thanked me for -speaking to him as I had done, and promised to dismiss from -his mind every suspicion regarding me. He was, however, most -insincere, and had no wish but to destroy me.</p> - -<p>"It would be tiresome," said Mahomed Hoosein, "to repeat -all the artifices Beggee Jān used, to enable him to effect this -object without loss of character. Finding, however, that I was -on my guard, and that I pursued a line of conduct which gave -him no hopes of entangling me in his toils, he determined to -seize and put me to death. It was long before I could bring -myself to think that a person of his wary character would have -recourse to unjustifiable violence; nor was it until his guards -had surrounded my house, and were bursting open the gates, -that I could believe he would proceed to such extremities. My -followers, when this occurred, entreated leave to resist the attack. -'Let us at least die in warm blood,' they said. I forbade them -to stir, adding, that it was perhaps only my life he sought, and -my family and friends might be spared. At this moment the -voice of Beggee Jān was heard, exclaiming, 'Bring me the -head of Mahomed Hoosein Khan.' Satisfied of his object, I gave -way to the earnest entreaties of all around me, and fled through -a small back gate of the house, accompanied only by my nephew, -Ibrahim Beg. I took this step, not so much from the hope of -saving my own life, as that my escape would prevent further -outrage to my family. It had the desired effect; for on its being<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_244" id="Page_244">[244]</a></span> -stated that I was gone, and a strict search confirming the assertion, -the troops were withdrawn, and sent with others in pursuit -of one against whom their sovereign had now become perfectly -furious.</p> - -<p>"The detail of my journeys and sufferings, from the hour of -my escape, till I found refuge in Persia, would fill volumes. I -shall make it as short as possible; for though I dwell on some -parts of the scene with pleasing recollections, there are others -which I cannot think of without horror. However, God's will -be done; let his glorious name be praised for all he does; it is -not for blind mortals to complain." After these pious ejaculations -the Khan proceeded with his narration.</p> - -<p>"I had only three friends in the town on whom I could depend. -I proceeded to the door of one, but he was asleep, and I durst -not make the noise necessary to awake him. When I came to -the house of the second, I learnt that Beggee Jān had sent for -him: and the third, I was informed by his domestics, having heard -of my situation, had hastened to the scene, in the expectation of -contributing to my escape.</p> - -<p>"Hopeless and wearied, I wandered all that night about the -streets of Bokhara, and a hundred times heard it proclaimed that -ten thousand pieces of gold should be the reward of him who -brought me to Beggee Jān.</p> - -<p>"It was towards morning when I went out of the gate of the -city, accompanied only by my nephew. We concealed ourselves -in a corn field till the evening, and then, though worn out with -hunger, anxiety, and fatigue, we took the road leading to Sheher-Sebz.<a name="FNanchor_152_152" id="FNanchor_152_152"></a><a href="#Footnote_152_152" class="fnanchor">[152]</a> -I was bare-footed, and unaccustomed to walk; but my -situation gave me a power of exertion beyond what I could have -believed; and after a most distressing and dangerous journey -we arrived at that city, the ruler of which, Niyāz Ali, moved -by the account of my sufferings, treated me with kindness and -distinction.</p> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_245" id="Page_245">[245]</a></span></p> -<p>"I remained six months at Sheher-Sebz, with a heart painfully -anxious for my family; but knowing that I was pursued by the -rancorous hatred of Beggee Jān, and being satisfied that though -Niyāz Ali had not the means to defend me, he would never be -so base as to give me up, I chose to relieve him from the embarrassment -my presence created. When I intimated my intention -to leave him, he expressed much regret, as he feared that my -powerful enemy might succeed in seizing me. He suggested, as -the best chance of escape, that I should go to Narbotta Beg, -the Prince of Ourat Teppah, which I accordingly did.</p> - -<p>"Soon after my departure, Beggee Jān attacked Sheher-Sebz, -and demanded that I should be given up; but the generous -Niyāz Ali concealed my having left him, till he heard of my -safe arrival at Ourat Teppah, when he announced my flight, and -the attack of his city was abandoned.</p> - -<p>"After remaining some months at Ourat Teppah, I desired -to leave it, but the prince would not consent, until he heard that -my enemy was secretly employing agents to murder his guest. -His knowledge of the devotion of the Oosbegs to their sovereign -made him have the most serious fears for my life and his own -honour, if I continued within reach of these assassins. To save -both, he had recourse to an extraordinary expedient.</p> - -<p>"He took my nephew and me with him on one of his hunting -parties, and privately asked me in what direction I wished to -proceed. I told him I desired to visit the court of Zemān Shāh. -He immediately (without informing any one) placed us in two -large trunks, which were put on camels and sent away as merchandise -on the road towards Thibet.<a name="FNanchor_153_153" id="FNanchor_153_153"></a><a href="#Footnote_153_153" class="fnanchor">[153]</a></p> - -<p>"After we were beyond the reach of Beggee Jān we visited -many towns in Tartary; but on our arrival at Thibet, I learnt -that Abdūlla Khan, governor of Cashmere, had rebelled, and -the country was consequently in a state of confusion. I was -therefore compelled to take the road of Bedekshan, and the -mountains of Siyāh Posh,<a name="FNanchor_154_154" id="FNanchor_154_154"></a><a href="#Footnote_154_154" class="fnanchor">[154]</a> dressed as a Fakeer; and under this -disguise I arrived safe at Cabool, after having encountered a -thousand distresses and dangers.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_246" id="Page_246">[246]</a></span></p> - -<p>"When I arrived at this city I did not deem it prudent to -reveal myself. Zemān Shāh and his vizier were gone to Herat, -and Fatteh Ali Shāh, king of Persia, was at Meshed. I continued -a poor wandering mendicant for some time in Cabool. I -often saw noblemen of high rank, with whom I was well acquainted, -without their having the slightest recollection of their -former friend. At this period I had almost died from want of -food; and my distresses were increased by my nephew being -afflicted with worms in his feet, which disabled him from -walking. I had to support him along from place to place, when -I was myself sinking with hunger and fatigue. I one day went -to the house of an old friend to ask relief, but he was not at -home. His servants directed me to the cāravānserāi of Aga -Mahomed of Koom. I went thither, and stopped near the room -in which was lodged Hajee Hoosein Abeer, a merchant whom I -had formerly employed and favoured. I stayed there some time, -till, mistaking me for a beggar, he bade me go away, saying he -had nothing to give me. I thought he recognized, but would -not acknowledge me in my distress, and I went away with a -heavy but proud heart from the door of a man whom, I immediately -afterwards found, was at the very time disbursing large -sums on agents, whom he had sent in different directions to -ascertain my fate, in order to contribute to my relief.</p> - -<p>"Having seated myself at some distance from the cāravānserāi, -a native of Meshed passed, who had long been in my service. -He no sooner cast his eyes upon me, than he recognized his old -master in spite of my disguise, and threw himself at my feet. -The moment he arose, he hastened to the room of Hajee Hoosein -Abeer, who instantly returned with him; and after thanking -God for this accidental discovery of one to whom he owed such -benefits, he begged me to accompany him to his apartment. -From that moment my sufferings were at an end. I was provided -with clothes, horses, and every thing that I required, and -proceeded towards Candahar in the character of a merchant; -having strictly enjoined those who knew me, not to disclose my -name or rank.</p> - -<p>"I thought at first of waiting at Candahar till Zemān Shāh -reached that city, and of trying what could be effected through -his aid. I heard, however, that he had proceeded from Herat -to Cabool, by the upper road, through the country of the -Hazarrah.</p> - -<p>"As I observed, from the way in which affairs were conducted<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_247" id="Page_247">[247]</a></span> -that the government of this prince had no stability, I resolved -on proceeding to the court of Teheran; but not wishing to give -the court of Cabool any just ground of offence, I wrote to the -vizier Wefā-dār Khan, and gave him a particular account of all -that had befallen me from the time of my escape from Bokhara -till that moment. Zemān Shāh commanded his minister to -desire me to stay at Candahar until his arrival. But I learnt -the disposition of the court by the first two words of the vizier's -answer: these were, "Hookm-e-alee," or (it is) the high command; -a style of address suited only to an inferior. The -instant I read this expression I determined to leave a country -where my reduced condition made men presume to treat me with -such arrogance.</p> - -<p>"When preparing to quit Candahar, the road was shut by the -advance of the prince Mahmood, who took the city, and I was -plundered of all I had brought from Cabool, as were also the -merchants with whom I associated. I remained at that city a -short time after this event; but seeing nothing in the character -of Mahmood that gave me confidence, I did not discover myself -to him, but set out as soon as I could with some merchants, and, -travelling through Seestan, arrived at the fort of Khyn in -Khorassan, where I was kindly and hospitably treated by its -chief, who was an old friend of my family. He appointed a -mehmandar to see me safe to Teheran, and sent an express to -announce my arrival to the king of Persia, who instantly invited -me to his court.</p> - -<p>"Before I arrived at Teheran, I learnt that the cruel tyrant -of Bokhara, enraged at my escape, had first imprisoned my family -in wells,<a name="FNanchor_155_155" id="FNanchor_155_155"></a><a href="#Footnote_155_155" class="fnanchor">[155]</a> and afterwards put every one of them to death,<a name="FNanchor_156_156" id="FNanchor_156_156"></a><a href="#Footnote_156_156" class="fnanchor">[156]</a> upbraiding -them with my having taken refuge in Persia, a country -towards which he ever entertained a spirit of the most inveterate -hostility.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_248" id="Page_248">[248]</a></span></p> - -<p>"I proceeded," said the Khan, hardly able to conclude his -narration, "with a broken heart, to the capital of Persia, where -the noble and generous conduct of this king affords me all the -consolation I can receive in this world, in which I am, though -apparently surrounded with every luxury and every honour, a -wretched and desolate man."</p> - -<p>The forlorn and fugitive chief of Merv was received at the -court of Persia with every mark of regard and honour to -which he would have been entitled as lord of that once famous -city and in the full zenith of his power. The king went into -mourning for his family, and every Omrah of the Kajir tribe was -ordered to pay him a visit of condolence; and even Abbas -Meerzā was desired by his father to wait upon and console the -afflicted stranger and guest.</p> - -<p>On the death of Hajee Ibrahim, the king is said to have -desired to raise Mahomed Hoosein Khan to the rank of prime -minister, but he declined the dangerous dignity, declaring he had -made a vow never again to enter upon affairs of state, unless an -opportunity was afforded him of wreaking his vengeance on the -merciless ruler of Bokhara, by sacking that capital.</p> - -<p>Mahomed Hoosein Khan continues his habits of study, which, -added to the information he has acquired in his travels, renders -his conversation at once agreeable and instructive. His conduct, -since he came into Persia, has obtained him great respect from -all classes. There are some few who accuse him of intriguing, -and assert, that notwithstanding his professed vow, he secretly -mixes in matters of state: but such suspicions and accusations -are probably the consequence of his continuing to enjoy so great -a share of the royal favour. His ostensible station is that of the -Nedeem, or chosen companion of the sovereign, and as such he is -almost in constant attendance upon the king's person, whose -whole conduct towards this unfortunate chief does equal honour -to his head and heart.<a name="FNanchor_157_157" id="FNanchor_157_157"></a><a href="#Footnote_157_157" class="fnanchor">[157]</a></p> - -<div class="footnotes"><h3>FOOTNOTES:</h3> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_135_135" id="Footnote_135_135"></a><a href="#FNanchor_135_135"><span class="label">[135]</span></a> My old friend Cāsim-Wālā died about five years after this interview. -Among other occupations of his latter years was that of preparing for himself -a place of interment in the Chehār-Bāgh of Isfahan. He built a small but -handsome mausoleum, with a tomb in the centre, for the top of which a fine -marble slab was obtained from Yezd; and he not only wrote his own epitaph -on this stone, but had it engraved, and every way finished, with the exception -of the date of his death. Near the mausoleum he made a fountain and -flower garden, with bowers and seats; and a gentleman who saw him a short -time before he died, tells me this spot became his favourite resort, where he -delighted to receive and converse with his friends and disciples.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_136_136" id="Footnote_136_136"></a><a href="#FNanchor_136_136"><span class="label">[136]</span></a> Faringee, as has been before remarked, implies European.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_137_137" id="Footnote_137_137"></a><a href="#FNanchor_137_137"><span class="label">[137]</span></a> This observation alluded to some embarrassments that had arisen in -consequence of two British envoys, one from England, and the other India, -meeting at the court of Persia.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_138_138" id="Footnote_138_138"></a><a href="#FNanchor_138_138"><span class="label">[138]</span></a> Nothing can be more curious than the fact of Mahomedan princes creating -honours of knighthood to confer distinction on Christians. The usage -commenced with the court of Constantinople, and was followed by that of -Teheran. The King of Persia created the order of the Sun for General -Gardanne, the ambassador from Buonaparte. This order was offered to Sir -Harford Jones, envoy from the King of England, but was declined on account -of the circumstances attending its origin. It was subsequently pressed upon -the acceptance of the Elchee, but he deemed it proper to follow the example -of the envoy of the King of England. The King of Persia determined, however, -as he said, that his first European friend should wear an order of his -creation, and instituted that of the Lion and Sun, which have been from very -ancient times the arms of Persia.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_139_139" id="Footnote_139_139"></a><a href="#FNanchor_139_139"><span class="label">[139]</span></a> The number three is deemed fortunate in Persia as elsewhere.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_140_140" id="Footnote_140_140"></a><a href="#FNanchor_140_140"><span class="label">[140]</span></a> "Ajeb jāhee berāee chappau!" literally, a wonderful place for a foray!</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_141_141" id="Footnote_141_141"></a><a href="#FNanchor_141_141"><span class="label">[141]</span></a> "<i>Poco di matto</i>" is deemed by the Italians an essential quality in a great -man's companion.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_142_142" id="Footnote_142_142"></a><a href="#FNanchor_142_142"><span class="label">[142]</span></a> This remarkable lady, who for a long period might be said to govern -Fars, died three years ago of the cholera.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_143_143" id="Footnote_143_143"></a><a href="#FNanchor_143_143"><span class="label">[143]</span></a> Mr. Sundt, an Anglo-Indian.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_144_144" id="Footnote_144_144"></a><a href="#FNanchor_144_144"><span class="label">[144]</span></a> Bacon.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_145_145" id="Footnote_145_145"></a><a href="#FNanchor_145_145"><span class="label">[145]</span></a> This title means, the security of the state.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_146_146" id="Footnote_146_146"></a><a href="#FNanchor_146_146"><span class="label">[146]</span></a> This minister died three years ago.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_147_147" id="Footnote_147_147"></a><a href="#FNanchor_147_147"><span class="label">[147]</span></a> This minister is dead since the journal was written from which this is -taken.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_148_148" id="Footnote_148_148"></a><a href="#FNanchor_148_148"><span class="label">[148]</span></a> Since this journal was written he fell into disgrace and died, after being -some time minister to the Prince Regent of Fars.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_149_149" id="Footnote_149_149"></a><a href="#FNanchor_149_149"><span class="label">[149]</span></a> This old and able minister died lately of the cholera.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_150_150" id="Footnote_150_150"></a><a href="#FNanchor_150_150"><span class="label">[150]</span></a> Merv is the ancient Antiochia Margiana. It was founded by Alexander -and became the capital of one of his successors, Antiochus Nicator.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_151_151" id="Footnote_151_151"></a><a href="#FNanchor_151_151"><span class="label">[151]</span></a> For an account of this remarkable ruler, see History of Persia, vol. ii. p. 243.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_152_152" id="Footnote_152_152"></a><a href="#FNanchor_152_152"><span class="label">[152]</span></a> Sheher-Sebz means the Verdant City, a name given by Timoor to the -ancient city of Kesh, which was the place of his birth. It lies about 130 -miles direct east of Bokhara.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_153_153" id="Footnote_153_153"></a><a href="#FNanchor_153_153"><span class="label">[153]</span></a> Hajee Mahomed Hoosein Khan has written an account of this extraordinary -journey, and of the countries he passed through.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_154_154" id="Footnote_154_154"></a><a href="#FNanchor_154_154"><span class="label">[154]</span></a> For an account of this remarkable people, see Elphinstone's Cabool.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_155_155" id="Footnote_155_155"></a><a href="#FNanchor_155_155"><span class="label">[155]</span></a> Imprisonment in dry wells is very common in some parts of Tartary.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_156_156" id="Footnote_156_156"></a><a href="#FNanchor_156_156"><span class="label">[156]</span></a> Thirty-eight persons were put to death, of whom eleven were sons, -brothers, and nephews. -</p> -<p> -Such of the women of his family as were not killed were given away to -persons of inferior condition; a brutal and degrading usage practised in Persia, -as well as Tartary, in cases where it is desired to disgrace as well as punish -men of high rank.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_157_157" id="Footnote_157_157"></a><a href="#FNanchor_157_157"><span class="label">[157]</span></a> Mahomed Hoosein Khan of Merv has finished his earthly career since -this was written.</p></div></div> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_249" id="Page_249">[249]</a></span></p> - -<h2>CHAPTER XX.</h2> - -<blockquote> - -<p>Departure from Sooltāneah—Tebreez—Climate—Lake of Oormeah—Ahmed -the Cobbler.</p></blockquote> - - -<p>Though delighted to turn towards home, the joy at our departure -from the royal camp was not unmingled with regret, at taking -leave, probably for the last time, of many of our Persian friends. -The king's attention to the Elchee had been most flattering, and -we had all participated in the royal favour. Fatteh Ali Shāh -had, indeed, with all due allowances for other motives, evinced -on this occasion sentiments and feelings which did him honour -as a man as well as a sovereign.</p> - -<p>We went from Sooltāneah to Tebreez, which has for many -years been the residence of the heir-apparent, Abbas Meerzā. -Tebreez is celebrated as one of the most healthy cities in Persia, -and it is on this ground alone that we can account for its being -so often rebuilt, after its repeated demolition by earthquakes. -It is seldom free, even for a twelvemonth, from slight shocks; -and it is little more than thirty years since it was levelled with -the ground, by one of these terrible convulsions of nature.</p> - -<p>I was more surprised at the salubrity of this town, from knowing -the great extremes of heat and cold to which it is subject, -having obtained from a friend who had resided there during the -whole of the preceding year, a most accurate diary of the various -changes of its climate. From this it appeared, that on the -twentieth of October there was a heavy fall of snow, which did -not however remain long upon the ground; the weather again -became mild, and there was no excessive cold until the middle -of December, from which period till the end of January Fahrenheit's -thermometer, when exposed to the air at night, never -rose above zero, and in the house, at mid-day, it was seldom -above 18°.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_250" id="Page_250">[250]</a></span></p> - -<p>January was by far the coldest month; during it, the water -is described as becoming almost instantaneously solid in the -tumblers upon the dining table, and the ink often freezing in the -inkstand, although the table was quite close to the fire. For at -least a fortnight not an egg was to be had, all being split by the -cold. Some bottles of wine froze, although covered with straw, -and many of the copper ewers were split by the expansion of -the water when frozen in them.</p> - -<p>According to this diary, the weather became comparatively -mild towards the end of February; but it appears that here, as in -England, a</p> - -<div class="poem"> -"Lingering winter chills the lap of May;"<br /> -</div> - -<p>for on the first of that month there was a heavy fall of snow, with -such cold, that all the promise of the spring was destroyed. Of -the heat that ensued, and the sudden and great changes to which -Tebreez is subject, we had abundant proof; in the month of June, -the range of the thermometer being usually, within the twenty-four -hours, from 56° to 94°, a difference of 38°.</p> - -<p>The extreme heat of summer causes most of the houses in -Tebreez to be built so as to admit the air during that season; -but the architects of Persia fall far short of their brethren in -Europe, in forming plans by which the cool air can be admitted -in summer and excluded in winter. This partly accounts for -the effects of the cold to which I have alluded; but the city of -Tebreez, and many other parts of Aderbejan, and still more of -the neighbouring province of Kūrdistan, though nowhere beyond -the fortieth degree of latitude, are, from their great elevation, -subject to extreme cold. In the latter country I found, on the -morning of the seventeenth of August, ice half an inch thick on a -basin of water standing in my tent.</p> - -<p>During the few days we remained at Tebreez I was in continual -attendance upon the Elchee, who was engaged in inspecting the -state and equipment of the newly-formed regular troops of -Persia. The day before our departure he had had a long interview -with Abbas Meerzā, who appeared to expect that what he -had seen of his military improvements would alter his sentiments -as to the policy of the change. This, however, was not the -case; the arguments before urged were repeated: and, though<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_251" id="Page_251">[251]</a></span> -every credit was given to the young and ardent prince for the -surprising progress he had made, the Elchee still contended that -it must be dangerous for a country to make its armies more -tangible to an enemy, until certain of being his equal in the field -of battle.</p> - -<p>In the course of their conversation upon this subject, the -Elchee related to the prince what the late minister, Hajee -Ibrahim,<a name="FNanchor_158_158" id="FNanchor_158_158"></a><a href="#Footnote_158_158" class="fnanchor">[158]</a> had told him, of the sentiments and designs of that -able monarch, Aga Mahomed Khan, when a large army of -Russians, under Valerian Zuboff, crossed the Araxes, and -encamped on the plain of Mogam, in the month of November, -1796.</p> - -<p>Notwithstanding the severity of the season, Aga Mahomed -Khan made every preparation to resist the threatened invasion. -He assembled the leaders of his army, and told them that the -Russians had presumed, during his absence in Khorassan, to -invade the opposite frontier of his dominions. "But my valiant -warriors," he added, "shall be led against them, and we will, -by the blessing of God, charge their celebrated lines of infantry -and batteries of cannon, and cut them to pieces with our conquering -swords." The chiefs applauded the heroic resolution of -their sovereign, and promised to support him with their lives. -When they were gone, the monarch directed Hajee Ibrahim to -approach, and asked him if he had heard what he said to the -military commanders. The minister said he had. "And do -you think," said he, "I will do what I have told them?" -"Undoubtedly, if it is your majesty's pleasure," was the reply. -"Hajee," said Aga Mahomed Khan, half angry, "have I been -mistaken? are you also a fool? Can a man of your wisdom believe -I will ever run my head against their walls of steel, and expose -my irregular army to be destroyed by their cannon and disciplined -troops? I know better. Their shot shall never reach -me; but they shall possess no country beyond its range. They -shall not know sleep; and, let them march where they choose, -I will surround them with a desert."</p> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_252" id="Page_252">[252]</a></span></p> -<p>From Tebreez, our first march of fifteen miles was to -Khoosroo-Shāh, a village situated in a beautiful valley, where -we remained for a day, admiring the scenery, and enjoying the -cool shade of the surrounding groves and gardens. In one of -the latter our mehmandar gave us a sumptuous breakfast.</p> - -<p>Our second day's journey brought us in sight of the lake of -Oormeah, which is of considerable extent. We examined a -marble quarry near its shore, which had not been worked since -the time of Nadir Shāh. The Persians wished us to believe -that the peculiar quality of the water of the lake, by mixing with -the soil, formed the marble, which they declared was soft when -first cut, but became hard from exposure to the sun. One of -our party, who was a geologist, endeavoured to prove to them -that this belief was quite erroneous, by explaining the nature of -the strata of this quarry, as well as the composition of the -marble; but his knowledge was evidently most unpopular with -the audience he had gathered round him, and they continued as -completely satisfied as they had been before his scientific demonstrations, -that the marble was formed in the manner related -by their fathers.</p> - -<p>The lake of Oormeah is computed to be three hundred miles -in circumference. It is very clear, but salt, and has a sulphureous -smell. We were assured that no fish or any living -creature is to be found in this great expanse of water, which one -of the learned men of our mission informed me was the Spauto -of Strabo, and the Marcianus of Ptolemy.</p> - -<p>From our encampment near the shore of this famous lake to -the city of Mārāgā is eighteen miles: we made this march at -night. Moollāh Adeenah, the story-teller of his majesty, was -one of our party. The Elchee asked him to beguile the -weariness of our road with a tale. "How many fersekhs long -do you wish it?" was his reply. "At least five," was the -answer. "I can exactly suit you," said the Moollāh; "you -shall have Ahmed the cobbler." I could not help laughing at -this mode of measuring a tale; but I was assured it was a -common custom, arising out of the calculation professed story-tellers -were compelled to make of the leisure of their hearers. -All further remarks upon this usage were put an end to, by -Moollāh Adeenah desiring us to be silent and attentive: his wish -being complied with, he commenced as follows:</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_253" id="Page_253">[253]</a></span></p> - -<p>"In the great city of Isfahan lived Ahmed the cobbler, an -honest and industrious man, whose wish was to pass through -life quietly; and he might have done so, had he not married a -handsome wife, who, although she had condescended to accept -of him as a husband, was far from being contented with his -humble sphere of life.</p> - -<p>"Sittāra, such was the name of Ahmed's wife, was ever -forming foolish schemes of riches and grandeur: and though -Ahmed never encouraged them, he was too fond a husband to -quarrel with what gave her pleasure: an incredulous smile or a -shake of the head, was his only answer to her often-told daydreams; -and she continued to persuade herself, that she was -certainly destined to great fortune.</p> - -<p>"It happened one evening, while in this temper of mind, that -she went to the Hemmām, where she saw a lady retiring dressed -in a magnificent robe, covered with jewels, and surrounded by -slaves. This was the very condition Sittāra had always longed -for, and she eagerly inquired the name of the happy person, who -had so many attendants and such fine jewels. She learned it -was the wife of the chief astrologer to the king. With this -information she returned home. Her husband met her at the -door, but was received with a frown; nor could all his caresses -obtain a smile or a word; for several hours she continued silent, -and in apparent misery; at length she said:</p> - -<p>"'Cease your caresses; unless you are ready to give me a -proof that you do really and sincerely love me.'</p> - -<p>"'What proof of love,' exclaimed poor Ahmed, 'can you -desire, which I will not give?'</p> - -<p>"'Give over cobbling; it is a vile, low trade, and never -yields more than ten or twelve dinars a day. Turn astrologer! -your fortune will be made, and I shall have all I wish, and be -happy.'</p> - -<p>"'Astrologer!' cried Ahmed, 'astrologer! Have you forgotten -who I am—a cobbler, without any learning—that you -want me to engage in a profession which requires so much skill -and knowledge?'</p> - -<p>"'I neither think nor care about your qualifications,' said the -enraged wife: 'all I know is, that if you do not turn astrologer -immediately, I will be divorced from you to-morrow.'</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_254" id="Page_254">[254]</a></span></p> - -<p>"The cobbler remonstrated, but in vain. The figure of the -astrologer's wife, with her jewels and her slaves, had taken -complete possession of Sittāra's imagination. All night it -haunted her; she dreamt of nothing else, and on awaking -declared she would leave the house, if her husband did not -comply with her wishes. What could poor Ahmed do? He was -no astrologer, but he was dotingly fond of his wife, and he could -not bear the idea of losing her. He promised to obey; and -having sold his little stock, bought an astrolabe, an astronomical -almanac, and a table of the twelve signs of the zodiac. Furnished -with these he went to the market-place, crying 'I am an -astrologer! I know the sun, and the moon, and the stars, and -the twelve signs of the zodiac; I can calculate nativities; I can -foretel every thing that is to happen!'</p> - -<p>"No man was better known than Ahmed the cobbler. A -crowd soon gathered round him. 'What, friend Ahmed,' said -one, 'have you worked till your head is turned?' 'Are you -tired of looking down at your last,' cried another, 'that you are -now looking up at the planets?' These and a thousand other -jokes assailed the ears of the poor cobbler, who notwithstanding -continued to exclaim that he was an astrologer, having resolved -on doing what he could to please his beautiful wife.</p> - -<p>"It so happened that the king's jeweller was passing by. He -was in great distress, having lost the richest ruby belonging to -the crown. Every search had been made to recover this -inestimable jewel, but to no purpose; and as the jeweller knew -he could no longer conceal its loss from the king, he looked -forward to death as inevitable. In this hopeless state, while -wandering about the town, he reached the crowd around Ahmed, -and asked what was the matter. 'Don't you know Ahmed the -cobbler?' said one of the bystanders, laughing; 'he has been -inspired, and is become an astrologer.'</p> - -<p>"A drowning man will catch at a broken reed: the jeweller -no sooner heard the sound of the word astrologer, than he went -up to Ahmed, told him what had happened, and said, 'If you -understand your art, you must be able to discover the king's -ruby. Do so, and I will give you two hundred pieces of gold. -But if you do not succeed within six hours, I will use all my -influence at court to have you put to death as an impostor.'</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_255" id="Page_255">[255]</a></span></p> - -<p>"Poor Ahmed was thunderstruck. He stood long without -being able to move or speak, reflecting on his misfortunes and -grieving, above all, that his wife, whom he so loved, had, by her -envy and selfishness, brought him to such a fearful alternative. -Full of these sad thoughts, he exclaimed aloud, 'Oh woman, -woman! thou art more baneful to the happiness of man than -the poisonous dragon of the desert!'</p> - -<p>"The lost ruby had been secreted by the jeweller's wife, who, -disquieted by those alarms which ever attend guilt, sent one of -her female slaves to watch her husband. This slave, on seeing -her master speak to the astrologer, drew near; and when she heard -Ahmed, after some moments of apparent abstraction, compare a -woman to a poisonous dragon, she was satisfied that he must -know every thing. She ran to her mistress, and, breathless with -fear, cried, 'You are discovered, my dear mistress, you are discovered -by a vile astrologer. Before six hours are past the -whole story will be known, and you will become infamous, if -you are even so fortunate as to escape with life, unless you can -find some way of prevailing on him to be merciful.' She then -related what she had seen and heard; and Ahmed's exclamation -carried as complete conviction to the mind of the terrified -mistress as it had done to that of her slave.</p> - -<p>"The jeweller's wife, hastily throwing on her veil, went in -search of the dreaded astrologer. When she found him, she -threw herself at his feet, crying, 'Spare my honour and my life, -and I will confess everything!'</p> - -<p>"'What can you have to confess to me?' exclaimed Ahmed, -in amazement.</p> - -<p>"'Oh nothing! nothing with which you are not already -acquainted. You know too well that I stole the ruby from -the king's crown. I did so to punish my husband, who uses -me most cruelly; and I thought by this means to obtain riches -for myself, and to have him put to death. But you, most -wonderful man, from whom nothing is hidden, have discovered -and defeated my wicked plan. I beg only for mercy, and will -do whatever you command me.'</p> - -<p>"An angel from heaven could not have brought more consolation -to Ahmed than did the jeweller's wife. He assumed -all the dignified solemnity that became his new character, and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_256" id="Page_256">[256]</a></span> -said, 'Woman! I know all thou hast done, and it is fortunate -for thee that thou hast come to confess thy sin, and beg for -mercy before it was too late. Return to thy house, put the -ruby under the pillow of the couch on which thy husband -sleeps; let it be laid on the side farthest from the door; and -be satisfied thy guilt shall never be even suspected.'</p> - -<p>"The jeweller's wife returned home, and did as she was -desired. In an hour Ahmed followed her, and told the jeweller -he had made his calculations, and found by the aspect of the -sun and moon, and by the configuration of the stars, that the -ruby was at that moment lying under the pillow of his couch, -on the side farthest from the door. The jeweller thought -Ahmed must be crazy: but as a ray of hope is like a ray -from heaven to the wretched, he ran to his couch, and there, to -his joy and wonder, found the ruby in the very place described. -He came back to Ahmed, embraced him, called him his dearest -friend and the preserver of his life, gave him the two hundred -pieces of gold, declaring that he was the first astrologer of the age.</p> - -<p>"These praises conveyed no joy to the poor cobbler, who -returned home more thankful to God for his preservation than -elated by his good fortune. The moment he entered the door, -his wife ran up to him, and exclaimed, 'Well, my dear -astrologer! what success?'</p> - -<p>"'There!' said Ahmed, very gravely, 'there are two hundred -pieces of gold: I hope you will be satisfied now, and not ask -me again to hazard my life, as I have done this morning.' He -then related all that had passed. But the recital made a very -different impression on the lady from what these occurrences -had made on Ahmed. Sittāra saw nothing but the gold, which -would enable her to vie with the chief astrologer's wife at -the Hemmām. 'Courage!' she said, 'courage! my dearest -husband. This is only your first labour in your new and -noble profession. Go on, and prosper; and we shall become -rich and happy.'</p> - -<p>"In vain Ahmed remonstrated, and represented the danger; -she burst into tears, and accused him of not loving her, ending -with her usual threat of insisting upon a divorce.</p> - -<p>"Ahmed's heart melted, and he agreed to make another -trial. Accordingly, next morning he sallied forth with his<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_257" id="Page_257">[257]</a></span> -astrolabe, his twelve signs of the zodiac, and his almanac -exclaiming, as before, 'I am an astrologer! I know the sun, -and the moon, and the stars, and the twelve signs of the -zodiac; I can calculate nativities; I can foretel everything -that is to happen!' A crowd again gathered round him, but it -was now with wonder, and not ridicule; for the story of the -ruby had gone abroad, and the voice of fame had converted -the poor cobbler Ahmed into the ablest and most learned -astrologer that was ever seen at Isfahan.</p> - -<p>"While everybody was gazing at him, a lady passed by -veiled. She was the wife of one of the richest merchants in -the city, and had just been at the Hemmām, where she had -lost a valuable necklace and earrings. She was now returning -home in great alarm, lest her husband should suspect her of -having given her jewels to a lover. Seeing the crowd around -Ahmed, she asked the reason of their assembling, and was -informed of the whole story of the famous astrologer: how he -had been a cobbler, was inspired with supernatural knowledge, -and could, with the help of his astrolabe, his twelve signs of -the zodiac, and his almanac, discover all that ever had, or ever -would happen in the world. The story of the jeweller and the -king's ruby was then told her, accompanied by a thousand -wonderful circumstances which had never occurred. The lady, -quite satisfied of his skill, went up to Ahmed, and mentioned -her loss; saying, 'A man of your knowledge and penetration -will easily discover my jewels: find them, and I will give you -fifty pieces of gold.'</p> - -<p>"The poor cobbler was quite confounded, and looked down, -thinking only how to escape without a public exposure of his -ignorance. The lady, in pressing through the crowd, had torn -the lower part of her veil. Ahmed's downcast eyes noticed -this; and wishing to inform her of it in a delicate manner, -before it was observed by others, he whispered to her, 'Lady, -look down at the rent.' The lady's head was full of her loss, -and she was at that moment endeavouring to recollect how it -could have occurred. Ahmed's speech brought it at once to -her mind, and she exclaimed in delighted surprise, 'Stay here a -few moments, thou great astrologer. I will return immediately -with the reward thou so well deservest.' Saying this, she left<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_258" id="Page_258">[258]</a></span> -him, and soon returned, carrying in one hand the necklace and -earrings, and in the other, a purse with the fifty pieces of -gold. 'There is gold for thee,' she said, 'thou wonderful man! -to whom all the secrets of nature are revealed. I had quite -forgotten where I laid the jewels, and without thee should never -have found them. But when thou desiredst me to look at the -rent below, I instantly recollected the rent near the bottom of -the wall in the bath-room, where, before undressing, I had hid -them. I can now go home in peace and comfort; and it is all -owing to thee, thou wisest of men!'</p> - -<p>"After these words she walked away, and Ahmed returned -to his home, thankful to Providence for his preservation, and -fully resolved never again to tempt it. His handsome wife, -however, could not yet rival the chief astrologer's lady in her -appearance at the Hemmām, so she renewed her entreaties and -threats, to make her fond husband continue his career as an -astrologer.</p> - -<p>"About this time it happened that the king's treasury was -robbed of forty chests of gold and jewels, forming the greater -part of the wealth of the kingdom. The high treasurer and -other officers of state used all diligence to find the thieves, but -in vain. The king sent for his astrologer, and declared, that if -the robbers were not detected by a stated time, he, as well as the -principal ministers, should be put to death. Only one day of -the short period given them remained. All their search had -proved fruitless, and the chief astrologer, who had made his -calculations and exhausted his art to no purpose, had quite -resigned himself to his fate, when one of his friends advised -him to send for the wonderful cobbler, who had become so -famous for his extraordinary discoveries. Two slaves were -immediately dispatched for Ahmed, whom they commanded to -go with them to their master. 'You see the effects of your -ambition,' said the poor cobbler to his wife; 'I am going to my -death. The king's astrologer has heard of my presumption, and -is determined to have me executed as an impostor.'</p> - -<p>"On entering the palace of the chief astrologer, he was -surprised to see that dignified person come forward to receive -him, and lead him to the seat of honour, and not less so to hear -himself thus addressed: 'The ways of heaven, most learned and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_259" id="Page_259">[259]</a></span> -excellent Ahmed, are unsearchable. The high are often cast -down and the low are lifted up. The whole world depends upon -fate and fortune. It is my turn now to be depressed by fate; it -is thine to be exalted by fortune.'</p> - -<p>"His speech was here interrupted by a messenger from the -king, who, having heard of the cobbler's fame, desired his -attendance. Poor Ahmed now concluded that it was all over -with him, and followed the king's messenger, praying to God -that he would deliver him from this peril. When he came into -the king's presence, he bent his body to the ground, and wished -his majesty long life and prosperity. 'Tell me, Ahmed,' said -the king, 'who has stolen my treasure?'</p> - -<p>"'It was not one man,' answered Ahmed, after some -consideration; 'there were forty thieves concerned in the -robbery.'</p> - -<p>"'Very well,' said the king: 'but who were they? and what -have they done with my gold and jewels?'</p> - -<p>"'These questions,' said Ahmed, 'I cannot now answer; but -I hope to satisfy your majesty, if you will grant me forty -days to make my calculations.'</p> - -<p>"'I grant you forty days,' said the king; 'but when they -are past, if my treasure is not found, your life shall pay the -forfeit.'</p> - -<p>"Ahmed returned to his house well pleased; for he resolved -to take advantage of the time allowed him to fly from a city -where his fame was likely to be his ruin. 'Well, Ahmed,' said -his wife, as he entered, 'what news at court?'</p> - -<p>"'No news at all,' said he, 'except that I am to be put to -death at the end of forty days, unless I find forty chests of gold -and jewels, which have been stolen from the royal treasury.'</p> - -<p>"'But you will discover the thieves.'</p> - -<p>"'How? by what means am I to find them?'</p> - -<p>"'By the same art which discovered the ruby and the lady's -necklace.'</p> - -<p>"'The same art!' replied Ahmed. 'Foolish woman! thou -knowest that I have no art, and that I have only pretended to it -for the sake of pleasing thee. But I have had sufficient skill to -gain forty days, during which time we may easily escape to some<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_260" id="Page_260">[260]</a></span> -other city, and, with the money I now possess, and the aid of my -former occupation, we may still obtain an honest livelihood.'</p> - -<p>"'An honest livelihood!' repeated his lady, with scorn. -'Will thy cobbling, thou mean, spiritless wretch! ever enable -me to go to the Hemmān like the wife of the chief astrologer? -Hear me, Ahmed! Think only of discovering the king's -treasure. Thou hast just as good a chance of doing so as -thou hadst of finding the ruby, and the necklace and earrings. -At all events, I am determined thou shalt not escape; and -shouldst thou attempt to run away, I will inform the king's -officers, and have thee taken up and put to death, even before the -forty days are expired. Thou knowest me too well, Ahmed, to -doubt my keeping my word. So take courage, and endeavour to -make thy fortune, and to place me in that rank of life to which -my beauty entitles me.'</p> - -<p>"The poor cobbler was dismayed at this speech; but knowing -there was no hope of changing his wife's resolution, he resigned -himself to his fate. 'Well,' said he, 'your will shall be obeyed. -All I desire is to pass the few remaining days of my life -as comfortably as I can. You know I am no scholar, and -have little skill in reckoning; so there are forty dates: give me -one of them every night after I have said my prayers, that I may -put them in a jar, and, by counting them, may always see how -many of the few days I have to live are gone.'</p> - -<p>"The lady pleased, at carrying her point, took the dates, and -promised to be punctual in doing what her husband desired.</p> - -<p>"Meanwhile the thieves who had stolen the king's treasure, -having been kept from leaving the city by fear of detection -and pursuit, had received accurate information of every measure -taken to discover them. One of them was among the crowd -before the palace on the day the king sent for Ahmed; and -hearing that the cobbler had immediately declared their exact -number, he ran in a fright to his comrades, and exclaimed, 'We -are all found out! Ahmed, the new astrologer, has told the -king that there are forty of us.'</p> - -<p>"'There needed no astrologer to tell that,' said the captain of -the gang. 'This Ahmed, with all his simple good-nature, is a -shrewd fellow. Forty chests having been stolen, he naturally<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_261" id="Page_261">[261]</a></span> -guessed that there must be forty thieves; and he has made a -good hit, that is all: still it is prudent to watch him; for -he certainly has made some strange discoveries. One of us must -go to-night, after dark, to the terrace of this cobbler's house, -and listen to his conversation with his handsome wife; for he is -said to be very fond of her, and will, no doubt, tell her what -success he has had in his endeavours to detect us.'</p> - -<p>"Every body approved of this scheme; and soon after -nightfall one of the thieves repaired to the terrace. He arrived -there just as the cobbler had finished his evening prayers, and -his wife was giving him the first date. 'Ah,' said Ahmed, as he -took it, 'there is one of the forty.'</p> - -<p>"The thief, hearing these words, hastened, in consternation, -to the gang, and told them that the moment he took his post he -had been perceived by the supernatural knowledge of Ahmed, -who immediately told his wife that one of them was there. The -spy's tale was not believed by his hardened companions; something -was imputed to his fears; he might have been mistaken; in short, -it was determined to send two men the next night at the same -hour. They reached the house just as Ahmed, having finished -his prayers, had received the second date, and heard him exclaim, -'My dear wife, to-night there are two of them!'</p> - -<p>"The astonished thieves fled, and told their still incredulous -comrades what they had heard. Three men were consequently -sent the third night, four the fourth, and so on. Being afraid of -venturing during the day, they always came as evening closed -in, and just as Ahmed was receiving his date: hence they all in -turn heard him say that which convinced them he was aware of -their presence. On the last night they all went, and Ahmed -exclaimed aloud, 'The number is complete! To-night the -whole forty are here!'</p> - -<p>"All doubts were now removed. It was impossible that -Ahmed should have discovered them by any natural means. -How could he ascertain their exact number? and night after -night, without ever once being mistaken? He must have learnt -it by his skill in astrology. Even the captain now yielded, in -spite of his incredulity, and declared his opinion that it was -hopeless to elude a man thus gifted; he therefore advised that<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_262" id="Page_262">[262]</a></span> -they should make a friend of the cobbler, by confessing every -thing to him, and bribing him to secrecy by a share of the booty.</p> - -<p>"His advice was approved of; and an hour before dawn they -knocked at Ahmed's door. The poor man jumped out of bed, -and, supposing the soldiers were come to lead him to execution, -cried out, 'Have patience! I know what you are come for. It -is a very unjust and wicked deed.'</p> - -<p>"'Most wonderful man!' said the captain, as the door was -opened, 'we are fully convinced that thou knowest why we are -come, nor do we mean to justify the action of which thou -speakest. Here are two thousand pieces of gold, which we will -give thee, provided thou wilt swear to say nothing more about -the matter.'</p> - -<p>"'Say nothing about it!' said Ahmed. 'Do you think it -possible I can suffer such gross wrong and injustice without -complaining, and making it known to all the world?'</p> - -<p>"'Have mercy upon us!' exclaimed the thieves, falling on -their knees; 'only spare our lives, and we will restore the royal -treasure.'</p> - -<p>"The cobbler started, rubbed his eyes to see if he were asleep -or awake; and being satisfied that he was awake, and that the men -before him were really the thieves, he assumed a solemn tone, -and said—'Guilty men! ye are persuaded that ye cannot escape -from my penetration, which reaches unto the sun and moon, and -knows the position and aspect of every star in the heavens. -Your timely repentance has saved you. But ye must immediately -restore all that ye have stolen. Go straightway, and -carry the forty chests exactly as ye found them, and bury them a -foot deep under the southern wall of the old ruined Hemmām, -beyond the king's palace. If ye do this punctually, your lives -are spared; but if ye fail in the slightest degree, destruction will -fall upon you and your families.'</p> - -<p>"The thieves promised obedience to his commands, and -departed. Ahmed then fell on his knees, and returned thanks to -God for this signal mark of his favour. About two hours after -the royal guards came, and desired Ahmed to follow them. He -said he would attend them as soon as he had taken leave of his -wife, to whom he determined not to impart what had occurred<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_263" id="Page_263">[263]</a></span> -until he saw the result. He bade her farewell very affectionately; -she supported herself with great fortitude on this -trying occasion, exhorting her husband to be of good cheer, and -said a few words about the goodness of Providence. But the -fact was, Sittāra fancied, that if God took the worthy cobbler to -himself, her beauty might attract some rich lover, who would -enable her to go to the Hemmām with as much splendour as -the astrologer's lady, whose image, adorned with jewels and -fine clothes, and surrounded by slaves, still haunted her -imagination.</p> - -<p>"The decrees of Heaven are just: a reward suited to their -merits awaited Ahmed and his wife. The good man stood with -a cheerful countenance before the king, who was impatient for -his arrival, and immediately said, 'Ahmed, thy looks are -promising; hast thou discovered my treasure?'</p> - -<p>"'Does your majesty require the thieves or the treasure? -The stars will only grant one or the other,' said Ahmed, looking -at his table of astrological calculations. 'Your majesty must -make your choice. I can deliver up either, but not both.'</p> - -<p>"'I should be sorry not to punish the thieves,' answered the -king; 'but if it must be so, I choose the treasure.'</p> - -<p>"'And you give the thieves a full and free pardon?'</p> - -<p>"'I do, provided I find my treasure untouched.'</p> - -<p>"'Then,' said Ahmed, 'if your majesty will follow me, the -treasure shall be restored to you.'</p> - -<p>"The king and all his nobles followed the cobbler to the ruins -of the old Hemmām. There, casting his eyes towards Heaven, -Ahmed muttered some sounds, which were supposed by the -spectators to be magical conjurations, but which were in reality -the prayers and thanksgivings of a sincere and pious heart to -God, for his wonderful deliverance. When his prayer was -finished, he pointed to the southern wall, and requested that his -majesty would order his attendants to dig there. The work was -hardly begun, when the whole forty chests were found in the -same state as when stolen, with the treasurer's seal upon them -still unbroken.</p> - -<p>"The king's joy knew no bounds: he embraced Ahmed, and -immediately appointed him his chief astrologer, assigned to him<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_264" id="Page_264">[264]</a></span> -an apartment in the palace, and declared that he should marry -his only daughter,<a name="FNanchor_159_159" id="FNanchor_159_159"></a><a href="#Footnote_159_159" class="fnanchor">[159]</a> as it was his duty to promote the man whom -God had so singularly favoured, and had made instrumental in -restoring the treasures of his kingdom. The young princess, -who was more beautiful than the moon, was not dissatisfied with -her father's choice; for her mind was stored with religion and -virtue, and she had learnt to value beyond all earthly qualities -that piety and learning which she believed Ahmed to possess. -The royal will was carried into execution as soon as formed. -The wheel of fortune had taken a complete turn. The morning -had found Ahmed in a wretched hovel, rising from a sorry bed, -in the expectation of losing his life: in the evening he was the -lord of a rich palace, and married to the only daughter of a -powerful king. But this change did not alter his character. As -he had been meek and humble in adversity, he was modest and -gentle in prosperity. Conscious of his own ignorance, he continued -to ascribe his good fortune solely to the favour of Providence. -He became daily more attached to the beautiful and virtuous -princess whom he had married; and he could not help contrasting -her character with that of his former wife, whom he had ceased -to love, and of whose unreasonable and unfeeling vanity he was -now fully sensible.</p> - -<p>"As Ahmed did not return to his house, Sittāra only heard -of his elevation from common rumour. She saw with despair -that her wishes for his advancement had been more than accomplished, -but that all her own desires had been entirely frustrated. -Her husband was chief astrologer—the very situation she had set -her heart on; he was rich enough to enable his wife to surpass -all the ladies of Isfahan, in the number of her slaves, and the -finery of her clothes and jewels, whenever she went to the -Hemmām: but he had married a princess; and his former wife, -according to custom, was banished from his house, and condemned -to live on whatever pittance she might receive from a man whose -love and esteem she had for ever forfeited. These thoughts distracted -her mind: her envy was excited by the accounts she -daily heard of Ahmed's happiness, and of the beauty of the -princess; and she now became anxious only for his destruction, -looking on him as the sole cause of her disappointment.</p> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_265" id="Page_265">[265]</a></span></p> -<p>"An opportunity of indulging her revengeful feelings was not -long wanting. The king of Seestan had sent an emerald of -extraordinary size and brilliancy as a present to the king of Irak. -It was carefully enclosed in a box, to which there were three -keys, and one of them was given in charge to each of the three -confidential servants employed to convey it. When they reached -Isfahan, the box was opened, but the emerald was gone. Nothing -could exceed their consternation; each accused the other: as -the lock was not broken, it was evident one of them must be the -thief. They consulted what was to be done; to conceal what -had happened was impossible; the very attempt would have -brought death on them all. It was resolved, therefore, to lay -the whole matter before the king, and beg that by his great -wisdom he would detect the culprit, and that he would show -mercy to the other two.</p> - -<p>"The king heard the story with astonishment, but was unable -to find any clue by which he might ascertain the truth. He -summoned his vizier and all the wisest men of his court; but -they were as much at a loss as their master. The report spread -through the city; and Sittāra thought she had now the means -of working her husband's ruin. She solicited a private audience -of his majesty, on the plea of having a communication of importance -to make. Her request was granted. On entering the -royal presence she threw herself at his feet, exclaiming, 'Pardon, -O king! my having so long concealed the guilt of my husband -Ahmed, whose alliance is a disgrace to the royal blood. He is -no astrologer, but an associate of thieves, and by that means -alone did he discover the royal treasure. If any doubts are -entertained of my speaking the truth, let his majesty command -Ahmed to recover the emerald which the servants of the king of -Seestan have stolen. Surely the man who by his wonderful art -ascertained where all the treasure of the kingdom was concealed, -will find it an easy matter to discover a single precious stone.'</p> - -<p>"The king, who loved his son-in-law, was grieved by this -information. Still, as the honour of his family was concerned, -he resolved to put Ahmed to the test; and, if he found him an -impostor, to vindicate the royal dignity by his condign punishment.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_266" id="Page_266">[266]</a></span> -He therefore sent for Ahmed, told him what had happened, -and added, 'I give you twenty days to discover who stole the -emerald. If you succeed, you shall be raised to the highest -honours of the state. If not, you shall suffer death for having -deceived me.'</p> - -<p>"Poor Ahmed quitted the presence quite disconsolate. The -princess, perceiving his affliction, inquired the cause. Ahmed -was by nature as sincere as he was pious and humble. He -related, without concealment or disguise, every event of his past -life; and concluded with these words: 'You must see, from -what I have said, how incapable I am of doing what your father -enjoins. My life must answer for it; and my only consolation -is, that I shall, in twenty days, relieve you from a husband, whom -from this time you must despise.'</p> - -<p>"'I only love you the better, my dear Ahmed, for your -sincerity and truth,' said the princess. 'One, who has been so -favoured by Heaven, must be dear to every pious heart. Be of -good cheer; I will turn astrologer this time, and see whether I -can find out the thief. All I require is, that you endeavour to -be composed, while I consult the stars and make my calculations.'</p> - -<p>"Ahmed, delighted with this proof of affection, and reassured -of the confidence of her manner, promised to be obedient; and -said he would only venture to assist her exertions by his earnest -prayers to that Power which had never deserted him.</p> - -<p>"The princess immediately invited the messengers from the -king of Seestan to her palace. They were surprised at the -invitation, and still more at their reception. 'You are strangers,' -she said to them, 'and come from a powerful king: it is my -wish to show you every attention. As to the lost emerald, think -no more of it; it is a mere trifle. I will intercede with the king, -my father, to give himself no further concern on the subject, -being convinced that it has been lost by one of those strange -accidents for which it is impossible to account.'</p> - -<p>"The princess entertained the strangers for several days, and -during that time the emerald seemed to be forgotten. She conversed -with them freely, inquiring particularly of Seestan, and -the countries they had seen on their travels. Flattered by -her condescension, they became confident of their safety; and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_267" id="Page_267">[267]</a></span> -were delighted with their royal patroness. The princess, seeing -them completely off their guard, turned the conversation one -evening on wonderful occurrences; and after each had related -his story, said, 'I will now recount to you some events of my -own life, which you will, I think, deem more extraordinary than -any you have ever heard.</p> - -<p>"'I am my father's only child, and have therefore been a -favourite from my birth. I was brought up in the belief that I -could command whatever this world can afford; and was taught -that unbounded liberality is the first and most princely of virtues. -I early resolved to surpass every former example of generosity. -I thought my power of doing good, and making every body -happy, was as unlimited as my wish to do so; and I could not -conceive the existence of misery beyond my power to relieve. -When I was eighteen I was betrothed to my cousin, a young -prince, who excelled all others in beauty of person and nobleness -of mind; and I fancied myself at the summit of happiness. It -chanced, however, that on the morning of my nuptials I went to -walk in a garden near the palace, where I had been accustomed -to spend some hours daily from my childhood. The old gardener, -with whose cheerfulness I had often been amused, met -me. Seeing him look very miserable, I asked him what was -the matter? He evaded a direct answer; but I insisted upon -his disclosing the cause of his grief, declaring at the same time -my determination to remove it.</p> - -<p>"''You cannot relieve me,' said the old man, with a deep -sigh; 'it is out of your power, my beloved princess, to heal the -wound of which I am dying.'</p> - -<p>"'My pride was roused, and I exclaimed, 'I swear—'</p> - -<p>"''Do not swear!' said the gardener, seizing my hand.</p> - -<p>"''I do swear!' I repeated, irritated by the opposition. -'I will stop at nothing to make you happy; and I further swear, -that I will not leave this spot until you reveal the grief which -preys upon you.'</p> - -<p>"'The old man, seeing my resolution, spake with tremulous -emotion as follows: 'Princess, you know not what you have -done. Behold a man who has dared for these two years to look -upon you with an eye of admiration; his love has at length -reached such a pitch, that without you he must be wretched for<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_268" id="Page_268">[268]</a></span> -ever; and unless you consent to meet him in the garden to-night, -and become his bride instead of that of the prince, he -must die.'</p> - -<p>"'Shocked by this unforeseen declaration, and trembling at -the thought of my oath, I tried to reason with the old gardener, -and offered him all the wealth I possessed. 'I told you,' he -replied, 'beautiful princess, that you could not make me happy; -I endeavoured to prevent your rash vow; and nothing but that -should have drawn from me the secret of my heart. Death, I -know, is my fate; for I cannot live and see you the wife of another. -Leave me to die. Go to your husband; go to the enjoyment of -your pomp and riches; but never again pretend to the exercise -of a power which depends upon a thousand circumstances that -no human being can regulate or control.'</p> - -<p>"'This speech conveyed a bitter reproach. I would have -sacrificed my life a hundred times, sooner than stain my honour -by marrying this man; but I had made a vow in the face of -Heaven, and to break it seemed sacrilege. Besides, I earnestly -wished to die undeceived in my favourite notion, that I could -make all who came near me happy. Under the struggle of -these different feelings, I told the gardener his desire should be -granted, and that I would be in the garden an hour before -midnight. After this assurance I went away, resolved in my -own mind not to outlive the disgrace to which I had doomed -myself.</p> - -<p>"'I passed the day in the deepest melancholy. A little -before midnight I contrived to dismiss my attendants, and, -arrayed in my bridal apparel, which was covered with the richest -jewels, I went towards the garden. I had not proceeded many -yards, when I was met by a thief, who, seizing me, said, 'Let -me strip you, madam, of these unnecessary ornaments: if you -make the least noise, instant death awaits you.' In my state of -mind such threats frightened me little. I wished to die, but I -wished, before I died, to fulfil my vow. I told my story to the -thief, beseeching him to let me pass, and pledging my word to -return, that he might not be disappointed of his booty. After -some hesitation, he allowed me to proceed.</p> - -<p>"'I had not gone many steps, when I encountered a furious -lion, which had broken loose from my father's menagerie.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_269" id="Page_269">[269]</a></span> -Knowing the merciful nature of this animal towards the weak -and defenceless, I dropped on my knees, repeated my story, and -assured him, if he would let me fulfil my vow, I would come -back to him as ready to be destroyed as he could be to make me -his prey. The lion stepped aside, and I went into the garden.</p> - -<p>"'I found the old gardener all impatience for my arrival. He -flew to meet me, exclaiming I was an angel. I told him I -was resigned to my engagement, but had not long to live. He -started, and asked what I meant. I gave him an account of my -meeting with the thief and the lion. 'Wretch that I am!' cried -the gardener; 'how much misery have I caused! but bad as I -am, I am not worse than a thief, or a beast of prey; which I -should be, did I not absolve you from your vow, and assure you -the only way in which you can now make me happy, is by -forgiving my wicked presumption.'</p> - -<p>"'I was completely relieved by these words, and granted the -forgiveness desired; but having determined in spite of the -gardener's remonstrances, to keep my promises to the thief and -the lion, I refused to accept his protection. On leaving the -garden, the lion met me. 'Noble lion,' I said, 'I am come, as -I promised you.' I then related to him how the gardener had -absolved me from my vow, and I expressed a hope that the king -of beasts would not belie his renown for generosity. The lion -again stepped aside, and I proceeded to the thief, who was still -standing where I left him. I told him I was now in his power, -but that, before he stripped me, I must relate to him what had -happened since our last meeting. Having heard me, he turned -away, saying, 'I am not meaner than a poor gardener, nor more -cruel than a hungry lion: I will not injure what they have -respected.'</p> - -<p>"'Delighted with my escapes, I returned to my father's palace, -where I was united to my cousin, with whom I lived happily till -his death; persuaded, however, that the power of human beings -to do good is very limited, and that when they leave the narrow -path marked out for them by their Maker, they not only lose -their object, but often wander far into error and guilt, by attempting -more than it is possible to perform.'</p> - -<p>"The princess paused, and was glad to see her guests so enchanted -with her story, that it had banished every other thought<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_270" id="Page_270">[270]</a></span> -from their minds. After a few moments she turned to one of -them, and asked, 'Now which, think you, showed the greatest -virtue in his forbearance—the gardener, the thief, or the lion?'</p> - -<p>"'The gardener assuredly,' was his answer; 'to abandon so -lovely a prize, when so nearly his own.'</p> - -<p>"'And what is your opinion?' said the princess to his neighbour.</p> - -<p>"'I think the lion was the most generous,' he replied; 'he -must have been very hungry, and in such a state it was great forbearance -to abstain from devouring so delicate a morsel.'</p> - -<p>"'You both seem to me to be quite wrong,' said the third, impatiently; -'the thief had by far the most merit. Gracious -Heavens! to have within his grasp such wealth, and to refrain -from taking it! I could not have believed it possible, unless the -princess herself had assured us of the fact.'</p> - -<p>"The princess now, assuming an air of dignity, said to the -first who spoke, 'You, I perceive, are an admirer of the ladies;' -to the second, 'You are an epicure;' and then turning to the -third, who was already pale with fright, 'You, my friend, have -the emerald in your possession. You have betrayed yourself, -and nothing but an immediate confession can save your life.'</p> - -<p>"The guilty man's countenance removed all doubt; and -when the princess renewed her assurances of safety, he threw -himself at her feet, acknowledged his offence, and gave her the -emerald, which he carried concealed about him. The princess -rose, went to her husband, and said, 'There, Ahmed, what do -you think of the success of my calculations?' She then related -the whole circumstance, and bade him carry the jewel to her -father, adding, 'I trust he will feel a greater admiration than -ever for my husband, the wonderful astrologer!'</p> - -<p>"Ahmed took the emerald in silent astonishment, and went -with it to the king, of whom he requested a private audience. -On its being granted, he presented the emerald. The king, -dazzled by its brilliancy and size, loaded his son-in-law with the -most extravagant praises, extolling him as superior to any astrologer -who had ever been seen in the world. Poor Ahmed, -conscious how little he deserved such praise, threw himself at -the king's feet, and begged that he might be allowed to speak -the truth, as he was readier to die than to continue imposing on<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_271" id="Page_271">[271]</a></span> -his majesty's goodness. 'You impose on me!' said the king, -'that is impossible. Did you not recover my treasure? Have -you not brought me this emerald?'</p> - -<p>"'True, O king!' said Ahmed, 'I have done so, but without -possessing that science for which I have gained a reputation.' -He then told his history from first to last with perfect sincerity. -The king showed great displeasure while listening to his -earlier adventures, but when Ahmed related the story of the -emerald, intermingling his tale with fervent expressions of -admiration for the wonderful wisdom and virtue of the princess, -he heard him with delight. After he had finished, the king -summoned his vizier and chief counsellors, and desired that -his daughter also might attend, and when they were all assembled, -he spake as follows; 'Daughter, I have learnt the history -of thy husband from his own lips. I have also heard much -in confirmation of the belief I have long entertained, that thy -knowledge and goodness are even greater than thy beauty. -They prove that thou wert born to rule; and I only obey the -will of Heaven, and consult the happiness of my people, when I -resign my power into thy hands, being resolved to seek that -repose which my declining years require. As to thy husband, -thou wilt dispose of him as it pleases thee. His birth, I always -knew, was low, but I thought that his wisdom and learning raised -him to a level with the highest rank; these, it now appears, he -does not possess. If thou deemest his alliance a disgrace, divorce -him. If, on the other hand, thou art willing to keep him as thy -husband, do so, and give him such share as thou thinkest fit in -the authority which I now commit to thee.'</p> - -<p>"The princess knelt to kiss her father's hand, and answered, -'May my father's life and reign be prolonged for his daughter's -happiness, and for that of his subjects! I am a weak woman, -altogether unequal to the task which his too fond love would -impose on me. If my humble counsel is listened to, my father -will continue to govern his people, whose gratitude and veneration -will make obedience light, and rule easy. As to Ahmed, -I love and esteem him; he is sensible, sincere, and pious, and I -deem myself fortunate in having for my husband a man so peculiarly -favoured and protected by Heaven. What, my dear -father, are high rank or brilliant talents without religion and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_272" id="Page_272">[272]</a></span> -virtue? They are as plants which bear gaudy blossoms, but -yield no fruit.'</p> - -<p>"The king was delighted with his daughter's wisdom and -affection. 'Your advice,' he said, 'my beloved daughter, -shall be followed. I will continue to govern my kingdom, -while you and Ahmed shall assist me with your counsels.'</p> - -<p>"The good cobbler was soon afterwards nominated vizier; and -the same virtue and piety, which had obtained him respect in -the humblest sphere of life, caused him to be loved and esteemed -in the high station to which he was elevated.</p> - -<p>"The designs of Sittāra were discovered, but her guilt was -pardoned. She was left with a mere subsistence, a prey to disappointment; -for she continued to the last to sigh for that -splendour she had seen displayed by the chief astrologer's wife -at the Hemmām; thereby affording a salutary lesson to those -who admit envy into their bosoms, and endeavour to attain their -ends by unreasonable and unjustifiable means."</p> - - -<div class="footnotes"><h3>FOOTNOTES:</h3> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_158_158" id="Footnote_158_158"></a><a href="#FNanchor_158_158"><span class="label">[158]</span></a> This occurrence was told the Elchee by Hajee Ibrahim in 1800, scarcely -four years after the event to which it referred. Vide Hist. Persia, vol. ii. p. 297.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_159_159" id="Footnote_159_159"></a><a href="#FNanchor_159_159"><span class="label">[159]</span></a> It is very common in the East for the daughters of monarchs to be married -to men eminent for piety or learning, however low their origin.</p></div></div> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_273" id="Page_273">[273]</a></span></p> - -<h2>CHAPTER XXI.</h2> - -<blockquote> - -<p>Mārāgā—Naser-ood-Deen—Persian Servants—Jaghatty River—Kūrdistan—Robbery—Arrival -at Sennah—Ardelan—Conclusion.</p></blockquote> - - -<p>Mārāgā, where we halted some days, is a beautiful town, -famous in eastern history as the place where Hoolakoo, the -grandson of Chenghiz, relaxed from his warlike toils, and assembled -round him men of the first genius of the age; who have -commemorated his love of science, and given him more fame as -its munificent patron than he acquired by all his conquests. -Amongst these was Naser-ood-Deen, who, in the thirteenth -century formed his celebrated astronomical tables.</p> - -<p>We approached our encampment by a range of low hills, the -top of which had been levelled to aid Naser-ood-Deen, and -other astronomers, in making their observations. We traced -distinctly the foundations of the observatory, which had been -constructed for the favourite philosopher of the Tartar prince. -In this observatory there was, according to one of the best Mahomedan -works,<a name="FNanchor_160_160" id="FNanchor_160_160"></a><a href="#Footnote_160_160" class="fnanchor">[160]</a> a species of apparatus to represent the celestial -sphere, with the signs of the zodiac, the conjunctions, transits, -and revolutions of the heavenly bodies. Through a perforation -in the dome, the rays of the sun were admitted, so as to strike -upon certain lines on the pavement in a way to indicate, in degrees -and minutes, the altitude and declination of that luminary -during every season, and to mark the time and hour of the day -throughout the year. It was further supplied with a map of the -terrestrial globe, in all its climates or zones, exhibiting the -several regions of the habitable world, as well as a general -outline of the ocean, with the numerous islands contained in its -bosom; and, according to the Mahomedan author, all these were -so perspicuously arranged and delineated, as at once to remove, -by the clearest demonstration, every doubt from the mind of -the student!</p> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_274" id="Page_274">[274]</a></span></p> -<p>After contemplating for some time what remained of a work, -which had been dedicated to celestial objects, amidst scenes of -rapine and bloodshed, we were reminded that we had terrestrial -occupations to attend to, being called to breakfast at our tents. -These were pitched on the green banks of the river that flows -past Mārāgā, and over which are two admirable bridges of -six elliptical arches each, built by the present governor, Ahmed -Khan, a nobleman of high rank and influence.</p> - -<p>On approaching the tents we were met by fishermen with -some trout carried on willow branches, which were passed through -their gills, exactly in the same manner as is customary in Scotland. -Those of our mission, and amongst them the Elchee, -who belonged to that country, loudly expressed their delight with -the willows, the fish, and the clear stream from which they were -taken. We had the trout fried for breakfast; and during that -meal, Persia, its kings, princes, astronomers, armies—all were -forgotten, and nothing was talked of but the Esk, the Ewis, the -Liddle, and the Teviot; important rivers no doubt to the natives -of Eskdale, Ewisdale, Liddisdale, and Teviotdale, but probably -as little known to many of my English readers, as to the inhabitants -of Aderbejan.</p> - -<p>I visited a small tomb whilst at Mārāgā, in which, according -to common report, the remains of Hoolakoo are interred, as also -those of his Christian queen Delghooz Khātoon. To this lady, -even Mahomedan writers ascribe some of the most munificent -actions of her Moghul lord, who was attached to her in a very extraordinary -degree. She is reputed to have been a great proficient -in science, and to have honoured with her peculiar patronage and -favour the celebrated Naser-ood-Deen, of whom I have already -spoken. The reputation of this great man had nearly proved his<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_275" id="Page_275">[275]</a></span> -ruin. A young chief, of a gloomy disposition, belonging to the -dreaded sect of Hoosein, who dwelt in the north-western mountains -of Persia, having heard of his fame, and thinking to profit -by his wisdom, commanded that he should be brought to his -presence. The mandate was instantly obeyed; for his followers -gave a devoted obedience to their chief, being fanatics of the -same sect as the subjects of the Old Man of the Mountain,<a name="FNanchor_161_161" id="FNanchor_161_161"></a><a href="#Footnote_161_161" class="fnanchor">[161]</a> -whose history is familiar to all readers of the wars of the -crusades.</p> - -<p>A few men were sent in disguise to Bokhara, and Naser-ood-Deen -was seized and carried off while walking in his garden. He -was made over from one party to another, till he found himself -at the "Eagle's Nest:" so the residence of the young prince, -on the top of a high mountain, was called. His value, we are -told, was fully appreciated at this barbarous court. While, -however, they honoured him with every attention, they took -precautions to prevent all possibility of escape. It was during -this confinement that he wrote the celebrated treatise on ethics,<a name="FNanchor_162_162" id="FNanchor_162_162"></a><a href="#Footnote_162_162" class="fnanchor">[162]</a> -which has raised his fame as high for philosophy as for astronomy.</p> - -<p>The desire of liberating a genius of whom his country was -justly proud, was, we are told, one of the principal motives -which led Hoolakoo to attack and destroy this abode of dreaded -assassins;<a name="FNanchor_163_163" id="FNanchor_163_163"></a><a href="#Footnote_163_163" class="fnanchor">[163]</a> and when their boasted Eagle's Nest was taken, the -emperor rejoiced less in its capture, than in having released -Naser-ood-Deen, who was immediately invested with a dress of -honour, and promoted to high employment. But it was to the -favour and patronage of the Christian princess Delghooz Khātoon, -that this philosopher owed the opportunities he enjoyed at Mārāgā, -of making his name coeval with that of oriental science.</p> - -<p>No less than five of my friends, who had been long absent on -their travels, joined us at Mārāgā. Four of them I could hardly -recognize, being dressed in Persian clothes, and having large -whiskers and long beards. They told us wondrous tales of -Seestan, Balochistan, Hamadān, and other countries in which -they had been. We were now a party of fourteen, but we did -not remain long together: some were detached to drill Persian -soldiers, while others were sent to survey and report upon the -soil and population of different districts of this once famous -kingdom.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_276" id="Page_276">[276]</a></span></p> - -<p>The Elchee had returned from his first mission by the route -of Hamadān: he now determined to go to Bagdad by that of -Kūrdistan, the ancient Carduchia, a province to which the sword -and the pen of Xenophon have given celebrity. I was delighted -at the prospect of visiting this country, which I found, by a -Persian History<a name="FNanchor_164_164" id="FNanchor_164_164"></a><a href="#Footnote_164_164" class="fnanchor">[164]</a> belonging to the Elchee, had a particular -claim to the attention of the Christian world. It was the birthplace -of the famous Saladin,<a name="FNanchor_165_165" id="FNanchor_165_165"></a><a href="#Footnote_165_165" class="fnanchor">[165]</a> whose sword arrested the progress -of the conquerors of Palestine.</p> - -<p>According to my author, Shadi Ben Mirvan, a native of -Kūrdistan, was kutwal or magistrate of Tekreet.<a name="FNanchor_166_166" id="FNanchor_166_166"></a><a href="#Footnote_166_166" class="fnanchor">[166]</a> In this -office he was succeeded by his eldest son, Nizām-ood-Deen -Ayoob, who was compelled to leave the country in consequence -of his younger brother, Assad-ood-Deen, having, in defence of -an injured female, killed a man of a powerful family. The -governor of the province is said to have admired the spirit and -humanity which prompted this deed; but being unable to -protect the brothers against the relations of the deceased, he -recommended and aided their flight. They went first to -Moosul,<a name="FNanchor_167_167" id="FNanchor_167_167"></a><a href="#Footnote_167_167" class="fnanchor">[167]</a> and thence to Balbec, the prince of which, Noor-ood-Deen, -was an intimate ally of Azad Ismael, the Waly of Egypt, -who was then warring, according to the Mahomedan writer, -against the accursed infidels of Europe! Noor-ood-Deen, -pleased with the bold, manly character of Assad-ood-Deen, sent -him in command of his forces to Egypt; where, our Eastern -author tells us, he rose so high in the favour of the Waly, that -he employed him to put to death his vizier, and rewarded him -with the vacant office! He died soon after,<a name="FNanchor_168_168" id="FNanchor_168_168"></a><a href="#Footnote_168_168" class="fnanchor">[168]</a> and his high -station devolved upon his nephew Saladin, son of Nizām-ood-Deen -Ayoob.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_277" id="Page_277">[277]</a></span></p> - -<p>The young Saladin is described by this author in glowing -colours. His qualities were of the highest order; even in youth -he soon outstript all competitors. He became the sole manager -of affairs in Egypt under the title of Mallik Nasser: he wrote -to the prince of Balbec to permit his father to join him, and on -the twenty-fourth day of Rejib, in the year of the Hegira 565, -the old man, who a few years before had considered himself and -his family ruined, on being compelled to abandon the office of a -petty magistrate, was met and welcomed at some distance from -his son's palace by the Waly of Egypt; for that prince thought -he could not too highly honour the parent of the man, to whom -he ascribed the safety and glory of his country.</p> - -<p>Saladin wished to make over his station to his father; but the -latter declined the offer, and continued, during the three years -he lived, without any public employment. The Waly of Egypt -having died, Saladin, already in possession of the power, -succeeded to the name of sovereign of that kingdom. The riches -of which he became possessed are minutely described by the -Persian author. Amongst them was a staff of emeralds of -extraordinary value, and a library of one hundred thousand -select volumes.</p> - -<p>Noor-ood-Deen, the prince of Balbec, who had raised this -family, becoming jealous of Saladin's power, endeavoured to -destroy him; but all his efforts were defeated, and at his death -Syria was added to Egypt.</p> - -<p>Thus originated the power of the celebrated Saladin. His -recovery of Jerusalem, the siege of Ascalon, and his wars with -those who are termed infidels, are given at great length, and the -boldest of the Christian heroes are often represented as flying -before his victorious sword. I looked through this volume, for -an account of the wonderful achievements of our gallant Richard, -and some mention of his fair sister Matilda; but I looked -in vain, and the omission produced no favourable impression of an -author who could pass over subjects so dear to every English -reader of the wars of Palestine.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_278" id="Page_278">[278]</a></span></p> - -<p>The day before we left Mārāgā, our muleteers mutinied. -They refused to proceed through Kūrdistan, alleging that the -inhabitants were all robbers and murderers, and delighted in -nothing more than plundering and putting to death Persians, -from whom most of the tribes of that rugged country differ -as much in habits as in religion, being half savages and of the -sect of Soonees. The Elchee was only able to quiet them -by promising to replace any mules which might be stolen, and to -defend them if attacked.</p> - -<p>The temper of the Elchee, which had been ruffled by this -occurrence, was still more so by the conduct of one of his -principal servants, Feridoon Beg, who, besides receiving handsome -pay, bore a gold stick, and took precedence of all the -state servants on occasions of ceremony. This man having -been sent with two hundred piastres to the servants of the chief -of Mārāgā, kept back twenty. Being detected, his only defence -was, that the fellows had cheated him and others, by intercepting -part of a present from their master to the domestics of the Elchee.</p> - -<p>The excuse was not admitted. Feridoon was degraded, and -being a favourite, had little sympathy. One of his companions, -approving of the indignation his conduct had excited, said, -"What a mean rascal! to behave as he has done; and all for -twenty piastres!" This speech increased the Elchee's passion, -who reprobated the man for looking at the amount of the sum -taken, not at the immorality of the action. "You, no doubt," -said he, "when you begin, will be a rogue on a large scale." He -proceeded in his anger from individuals to communities, and -finished by declaring, that there was neither truth nor honesty to -be found in Persia.</p> - -<p>This was so much the general impression, that we were -delighted to find the Elchee's eyes at length opened; but in the -evening, when some of us expressed concurrence in his opinions, -what was our surprise to find that these had been completely -changed by a few hours of reflection!</p> - -<p>"I was," he said, "very unreasonable this morning, and am -quite ashamed of myself. What could you expect?" said -he to a gentleman who had mentioned some instances of being -cheated in the purchase of horses and mules, as well as by -servants; "what, I ask, could you expect to happen to an envoy<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_279" id="Page_279">[279]</a></span> -from Persia, who landed at Hull, with the reputation of having -plenty of money; and proceeded to the court of St. James's, -furnishing himself and suite with horses, bought without -experience, and hiring a numerous train of servants, with little if -any inquiry as to their character? Do you think our laws -would secure his being supplied in Yorkshire with horses worth -what he gave for them, or prevent his being cheated and robbed, -by men who hang loose on society, and who consequently would -crowd to such a master?</p> - -<p>"Now what is our situation in Persia? We fit out a mission -at Abusheher, buy such horses as are offered, and hire every good-looking -fellow who presents himself. We are in fact compelled -to do so; for in a country where religious prejudices are so -strong, none but those who cannot get bread elsewhere would -come to serve Faringees, unless tempted by the hopes of great -gain, through fair or unfair means.</p> - -<p>"This, if you reflect, must be particularly the case in a -country where laws have little force, but where, whatever of -morality there is in the lower orders, chiefly depends upon their -religious sentiments, or feelings of allegiance and attachment to -superiors; and amongst equals, on the ties which subsist in -families and tribes. Their religious prejudices are all against us, -and we neither have, nor can have, any claim on their allegiance -or attachment, nor the benefit of family ties to guard us in our -occasional visits to this country; and we should not therefore -wonder that we are sometimes cheated; far less should we proceed, -as I did this morning, to condemn a whole nation because -we discover such crimes in those around us. We ought, in justice -to the Persians, to refer much of what has occurred to our -peculiar situation in their country, and not write them all down -rogues, unless we ascertain that they are, as a people, in the habit -of behaving towards each other, as we have found a few of them -behave towards us."</p> - -<p>Such was the Elchee's doctrine, to which there neither was -any expression of assent or dissent. Some probably believed -there was reason in what he stated, while others thought there -was no use in arguing with him on a subject, on which he was -known to be very prejudiced and impatient.</p> - -<p>Two more marches brought us to the banks of the river<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_280" id="Page_280">[280]</a></span> -Jaghattee, which rising among the mountains of Kūrdistan, after -fertilizing several valleys in that country, and in the province -of Aderbejan, flows into the lake of Oormeah. We halted here -some days; and were so delighted with the fishing, shooting, -and hunting, near our encampment, that we should have remained -longer, but for a report that the plague was in a neighbouring -village. This determined the Elchee to move; nor could he be -induced to remain by the assurance of some Kūrds, that this -village was the utmost limit to which the scourge had ever been -known to extend in this quarter.</p> - -<p>It would fill a volume, were I to relate the amusing and -interesting accounts we received from our enterprising friends; -who had not only visited many of the least known parts of -Persia, but had penetrated into the wide and barbarous countries -between that kingdom and India. Their travels, if ever noticed, -must belong to a future work; none of them excited my curiosity -more than those of a gallant and valued friend, who has since -died the death of a soldier. He had traversed the arid plains of -Seestan, and visited the famous cities of Mushed and Yezd in -Khorassan. As he knew Yezd was the chief residence of the -few Guebres, or worshippers of fire, who still remain in Persia, -and who live there, under the protection of their chief, who is -one of the principal magistrates of the town, he had furnished -himself with letters from the Parsees or Guebres at Bombay, to -their friends at Yezd. Among these was one from Khoosroo, a -well known poet, who, like many others, is more famous for the -quantity than the quality of his rhymes. My friend had kept -a copy of this singular production, which was in verse.</p> - -<p>After informing the chief to whom this letter was addressed -that the person who would present it was endowed with many -qualities, Khoosroo terms him the Vakeel or agent of the Elchee, -whom he describes as a man "who never took rest for one -moment, in one place."<a name="FNanchor_169_169" id="FNanchor_169_169"></a><a href="#Footnote_169_169" class="fnanchor">[169]</a> This characteristic hit made us all laugh. -The Elchee, while he joined in our mirth, defended himself -against this charge of perpetual motion as well as he could. -"Laugh away, gentlemen," said he, "but recollect one thing—I -have never changed my abode, but by the orders of my -superiors."</p> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_281" id="Page_281">[281]</a></span></p> -<p>We went from the banks of the Jaghattee to a village called -Koozlee. Ascending to the top of a hill, we had a fine view of -Kūrdistan, which appeared, far as the eye could reach, an -interminable cluster of hills. A few scattered huts, and several -small encampments, were all we could see of human dwellings; -and their distance from each other indicated that stage of -civilization which precedes the congregating of men into villages -and towns.</p> - -<p>The impressions this prospect made upon our minds, as to the -character of the people on whose rugged land we were now -entering, were confirmed the ensuing morning at three o'clock, -by the cry of "Robbers, robbers! Murder, murder!" All was -instantly in confusion; trumpets sounded, drums beat to arms; -boots destined for the right leg were put on the left, while we -huddled on our clothes, and ran to our posts. It was too dark -to see ten yards; but we soon discovered that there were no -assailants in the camp. Many of our party who had gone in -front came back, and every one had a more alarming tale than -the other. According to them, several men were killed, and a -hundred mules plundered. While listening to these accounts, -a Portuguese servant came galloping into camp, exclaiming, -"They are murdering all the Christians! May the Lord preserve -us!" The pious ejaculations of the affrighted Joseph -caused much merriment; for, as he was the only Christian who -had been in danger, it was evident that his alarm, whatever -character he desired to give it, was all for himself.</p> - -<p>The Elchee halted till daylight, and then proceeded towards -the village; where he found his mehmandar, two Kūrdish -chiefs, and three or four principal men of the country, consulting -what was to be done. They entreated him to allow them -to trace the robbers, and recover what had been plundered, -which was now found to amount to five mule loads; but circumstances -led to a suspicion that some of those who gave this -advice were concerned in the robbery, and the Elchee was -consequently in no temper to listen to their counsel. He told -them not to speak to him, as he neither wanted their advice nor -aid: being resolved to deter the natives of Kūrdistan from ever -again meddling with an European envoy. They endeavoured, -but in vain, to pacify him; he ordered the infantry and baggage<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_282" id="Page_282">[282]</a></span> -to proceed to the next stage, twelve miles distant, and with the -cavalry, divided into three parties, swept the country for eight -miles, in the direction in which the mules had been carried off. -Three mules and some of the plundered articles were found; -and as a security for the remainder, nine head persons of hamlets -and petty tribes were seized, and taken to our encampment. The -mehmandar and some Kūrdish chiefs entreated for their release, -and crowds of women and children followed us imploring mercy; -but all received the same answer; "When every article which -has been taken is restored or what cannot be found is paid for, -then, and not a moment before, shall these men be released."</p> - -<p>The Elchee either was or pretended to be in a great rage. -The mehmandar, who was a favourite, and used to joke with -him, became alarmed: "I now see," said he, "what I had -before heard, but could not believe, that you Faringees, when -in a passion, are as great savages as we are, or even as the -Kūrds."</p> - -<p>When we reached our encampment, the hostages were placed -in strict confinement, and not allowed to communicate with any -of their families or tribes. The consequence was what we -anticipated. The lost mules and the greater part of the baggage -were brought back. Nothing remained unaccounted for, but -some clothes belonging to the Elchee and his personal servants. -These were valued at seven hundred and twenty piastres; which, -seeing no abatement would be allowed, were at last paid by the -collector of the district.<a name="FNanchor_170_170" id="FNanchor_170_170"></a><a href="#Footnote_170_170" class="fnanchor">[170]</a> Some hours after the Elchee sent for -this officer, and returned him three hundred and twenty piastres, -the amount of his personal loss. This unexpected consideration -put the collector in good humour. The prisoners, who had -been alarmed for their lives, were not only released but feasted; -and the Elchee made small, but valued, presents of coloured -handkerchiefs, knives, and scissors, to several of their wives and -children, who had followed them to our camp. In short, a -gloomy morning was succeeded by a sunshiny evening, and our -Kūrd friends left us, declaring they would never again plunder -any of our tribe; a promise they will probably keep or break, -according as they think they can measure strength with those of -our race who may visit their country.</p> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_283" id="Page_283">[283]</a></span></p> -<p>The Elchee having become not only calm, but in high spirits -with his success, was visited by the mehmandar and others, who -assured him the news of these transactions would soon spread, -and protect his camp against all further attempts of plunderers; -and certain it is, we were never again assailed during our residence -in Kūrdistan.</p> - -<p>Our march for several days was over a very rugged country, -in which there was little cultivation. The pasture appeared -excellent, and the valleys were watered by small but clear -streams. The great want in Kūrdistan, as in many other parts -of Persia, is wood. My Indian friend, Soobadar Syed Hoosein,<a name="FNanchor_171_171" id="FNanchor_171_171"></a><a href="#Footnote_171_171" class="fnanchor">[171]</a> -when riding with me, remarked the great difference in this particular -between the provinces we had travelled through, and his -native land. "These proud Persians," said he, "boast of their -country; but they have neither shade to protect them from the -heat of summer, nor fuel to save them from the cold of winter."</p> - -<p>The day he made this observation, the good Soobadar had -reason to complain of the want of the latter article; for, as -winter was yet distant, it being only the 16th of August, none -was furnished, and the cold proved excessive; the water in our -tents was frozen, and Fahrenheit's thermometer stood at 34° at -six in the morning.</p> - -<p>As we approached Sennah, the capital of the province of -Ardelan, the soil improved, and, if cultivated, would, no doubt, -produce abundance of grain; but its rude inhabitants prefer a -pastoral life. They are, if we may judge from what we saw, an -uncommonly robust race, and appear unchanged in their manners -and customs by the twenty-three centuries which have elapsed -since the days of Xenophon, who would have no difficulty, if -permitted to return from the Elysian fields, to recognize the -descendants of the enemies he encountered amidst these wilds. I -made this observation to Baharām Meerzā, who had been sent -by the Waly of Sennah to welcome the Elchee, and remarked, -at the same time, the little care or knowledge they had about -religion, though all professed that of Mahomed. "It is all very -true," he said, "but two or three days will bring you to Sennah, -and you will then see that though we are Kūrds, and have a pride -in being so, we are not all barbarians."</p> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_284" id="Page_284">[284]</a></span></p> -<p>The evening before we went to Sennah, I read the introductory -pages of the history of the Kūrds. It is written by a native; -and, according to this patriotic author, all the virtue and courage -this world has ever known was nurtured amid the wilds and -mountains of Kūrdistan. Its inhabitants, he affirms, attained -great glory in former ages, and would have subjected the universe, -but for the caution of the prophet Mahomed, who, struck -by the fierce look and gigantic form of a Kūrd ambasssador, -prayed to God that this formidable race might never be united. -This prayer was heard, adds my author; and the warriors of -Kūrdistan have ever since been at variance with each other.</p> - -<p>Sennah is so surrounded by hills that the town is not seen till -you are close to the suburbs. We were pleased with its appearance: -the houses are well built; and the gardens and cultivation -in its vicinity came in strong and pleasing contrast with the -rugged lands through which we had travelled for the last eight -days.</p> - -<p>Two sons of Aman ollāh Khan, the Waly, or prince, came -with three hundred horse to meet, and welcome us to the court -of their father. I was delighted with the eldest of these boys. -Though only ten years of age, he rode and managed a very -spirited charger with great address. In his conversation he was -free and unembarrassed, mixing the simplicity of the child with -the information of the man. He had, he said, been in all parts -of his father's territories, and appeared well acquainted with the -various tribes by which they were inhabited, answering every -question put to him by the Elchee on this subject with remarkable -clearness and correctness.</p> - -<p>The day after our arrival, we went to visit the Waly, who -received us in a magnificent style. We found him attended by -his principal officers; and the two boys, who had come to meet -us, were standing close to their father. The Elchee wished them -to be seated; but that, he was informed, was against the etiquette -of this petty court. That etiquette however was disturbed. A -man came into the room, and spoke to the Waly in the Kūrdish -dialect. The prince laughed; and on the Elchee asking what -was the matter—"Nothing," said he, "except that a spoilt child<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_285" id="Page_285">[285]</a></span> -of mine, not four years of age, declares he will put himself to -death, unless allowed to see you as well as his brothers." The -Elchee entreated he might make his appearance, saying he was -fond of children, and much flattered by the boy's anxiety to see -him. Soon after, in marched this desperate little Kūrd, loaded -with fine clothes. He was tolerably bold at first, but took alarm -when pressed by the Elchee to sit near him; he appeared particularly -startled by the cocked hat and high feather. The Elchee, -observing this, took out the feather and gave it him to play with. -This act of conciliation was completely successful. After -amusing himself with the feather for some time, the little fellow -ventured to take up the hat, examined it, and other parts of our -dress, and in a few minutes began to chatter in a manner which -delighted the father, who seemed much pleased with the attention -paid to his favourite.</p> - -<p>The Waly having returned the Elchee's visit, and invited us -to dine with him, we went to his palace, a small but handsome -building. The hall in which we were received was forty feet -long, twenty-four broad, and thirty high. A facing of white -marble covered the walls of this apartment to the height of eight -feet, above that it was painted and richly gilt. The chequered -gilding of the roof had an appearance like mosaic, which produced -a good effect. Adjoining to this hall, and one step more -elevated, was a room twenty-four feet by eighteen, connected -with the interior of the palace by folding-doors, so admirably -finished, and the gilding of which so exactly corresponded with -the other ornaments of the apartment, that when shut it was -difficult to discover them. The front of the hall was supported -by four richly carved and gilt pillars, and opened on a terrace -commanding a view of the town. On this terrace was a fountain, -adapted to its size and that of the building.</p> - -<p>Persia is famous for its carpets; but none I had ever seen -surpassed in beauty that on which the Waly and his guests -were seated in this hall of his fathers. He appeared to have -great pride in introducing the Elchee to the persons by -whom he was surrounded. None of them, he said, counted less -than eight or nine generations in the service of his family, and -some had been its firm and attached adherents during a period of -four centuries.</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_286" id="Page_286">[286]</a></span></p> - -<p>"My country," he concluded, "is above two hundred miles -in length, and nearly as much in breadth. We owe and pay -allegiance to the kings of Persia, but we are exempted from that -severity of rule which often ruins our neighbours, who possess -rich plains and wealthy cities. Ardelan presents little temptation -to an invader. It abounds in nothing," he added, smiling, -"but brave men and hardy horses."</p> - -<p>The Waly was pleased to find we had, from perusing the -history of Kūrdistan, become acquainted with all the great -families of that country, and were familiar with the names and -actions of some of the most renowned of his ancestors. He had -a copy of the same history, but it wanted some passages -which were in that of the Elchee, which he borrowed to have -them transcribed. The Elchee was pleased, when his volume -was returned, to find an addition, which brought up the -history of the Walies of Ardelan to the present date, with -a most flattering and highly coloured account of the arrival -of the British mission at Sennah; an event which the author, -in a truly eastern style, predicted would henceforward be deemed -an epoch in the annals of that principality.</p> - -<p>The town of Sennah, which lies in N. lat. 35° 12', enjoys a -fine climate; the small valley in which it is situated being protected -from the severity of the winters in this elevated country, -by the hills around it. The prince and his chiefs live in great -luxury, and the inhabitants have all the appearance of enjoying -competence, if not affluence. Among them were forty families -of Nestorian Christians, the heads of which, with their pastor, -visited the Elchee. There were many of the same sect, the -good priest informed us, in Kūrdistan, who had resided there -ever since its separation from the Greek church, a period of -thirteen centuries. As for himself and his little flock, he added, -they had a small church at Sennah, and were, as their fathers -had been, not only tolerated, but protected by the princes of -Ardelan. This may in part be ascribed to their being industrious -and useful citizens, as they are almost all either artizans -or manufacturers.</p> - -<p>From subsequent conversations which the Elchee had with -the Waly, it appeared that though the kings of Persia had never -attempted to establish their own authority over Ardelan, or to<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_287" id="Page_287">[287]</a></span> -interfere with its internal administration, they have often disturbed -its quiet, by fomenting discord in the family of its ruler; -and more than once have obtained a temporary influence and -power, by aiding a discontented or revolted prince, to overthrow -the direct line of succession.</p> - -<p>The contrast between the inhabitants of Sennah and of the -neighbouring hills is singularly striking. The first are little -different in their habits from citizens in Persia, while the latter -are even more rude than the wandering tribes of that country. -You meet them, watching their flocks of sheep and herds of -cattle, within five or six miles of the small but luxurious capital, -and are surprised to find that it is with pity, not envy, they -regard its inhabitants. They glory in the state and splendour -of the prince and chiefs to whom they owe hereditary allegiance, -but look with contempt on the unwarlike, but more civilized -community, with whom those they obey are immediately surrounded.</p> - -<p>Hamadān, the ancient Ecbatana, Kermen Shāh, once the -residence of the mighty Khoosroo; Bagdad and its caliphs, the -renowned port of Balsorah, and the southern shores of the -Persian Gulph, are all before me. But here these volumes must -close. My efforts to amuse, and perhaps inform my readers, -are interrupted by circumstances, which, though they forbid -promise, warrant a hope, that if we are pleased with each other -we may meet again.</p> - - -<div class="footnotes"><h3>FOOTNOTES:</h3> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_160_160" id="Footnote_160_160"></a><a href="#FNanchor_160_160"><span class="label">[160]</span></a> The writer of the Hubeeb-ul-Syur is the authority quoted by Major -Price, from whose history of the Mahomedans this account is taken. -According to this work, an extraordinary difference was found in the sun's -altitude and declination, at corresponding periods, between what was -exhibited in the tables now framed by Naser-ood-Deen, and in those -formerly established; and an error of surprising magnitude was detected in -the mode that had hitherto been observed for adjusting the commencement -of the new year.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_161_161" id="Footnote_161_161"></a><a href="#FNanchor_161_161"><span class="label">[161]</span></a> The first who established this sect in Persia was Hoosein Subah. His -followers hold the same tenets as those of Ismael in Egypt.—Vid. Hist. -Persia, vol. i. p. 395.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_162_162" id="Footnote_162_162"></a><a href="#FNanchor_162_162"><span class="label">[162]</span></a> This treatise is called the Akhlāk-e-Nāsiree, and is deemed one of the -most valuable works which the Mahomedans possess on moral philosophy.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_163_163" id="Footnote_163_163"></a><a href="#FNanchor_163_163"><span class="label">[163]</span></a> The English word assassin is said to be derived from the term -Hooseinee, by which this sect was known.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_164_164" id="Footnote_164_164"></a><a href="#FNanchor_164_164"><span class="label">[164]</span></a> This work is called Tarikh Akrād, or the History of the Kūrds. It -was given to the Elchee by the Kūrd chief of Mohezzee.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_165_165" id="Footnote_165_165"></a><a href="#FNanchor_165_165"><span class="label">[165]</span></a> The Mahomedan name of this hero is Sallāh-ood-Deen.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_166_166" id="Footnote_166_166"></a><a href="#FNanchor_166_166"><span class="label">[166]</span></a> This fort was taken from the Turks by Timoor, after a memorable -siege. Vide Hist. Persia, vol. i. p. 465.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_167_167" id="Footnote_167_167"></a><a href="#FNanchor_167_167"><span class="label">[167]</span></a> The ancient Nineveh.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_168_168" id="Footnote_168_168"></a><a href="#FNanchor_168_168"><span class="label">[168]</span></a> Assad-ood-Deen's death took place in the year of the Hegira 564.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_169_169" id="Footnote_169_169"></a><a href="#FNanchor_169_169"><span class="label">[169]</span></a> "Kih yek dem na geered be-jahee kerrā."</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_170_170" id="Footnote_170_170"></a><a href="#FNanchor_170_170"><span class="label">[170]</span></a> Zabiteh.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_171_171" id="Footnote_171_171"></a><a href="#FNanchor_171_171"><span class="label">[171]</span></a> Soobadar is the highest rank a native can attain in the Indian army. -This gallant soldier is now soobadar major of the body guard of the governor -of Madras.</p></div></div> - -<div class="center"> -<br /> -London: <span class="smcap">W. Clowes & Sons</span>, Duke Street, Stamford Street.<br /> -</div> - -<hr class="chap" /> -<p> </p> - -<div class="transnote"> -<h2>Transcriber's Note</h2> - - -<p>Obvious errors of punctuation were corrected.</p> - -<p>Inconsistent hyphenation and diacritics were made consistent.</p> - -<p>P. 32: reecital of passages -> recital of passages.</p> - -<p>P. 42: sweatmeats -> sweetmeats.</p> - -<p>P. 72: celebrated physican -> celebrated physician.</p> - -<p>P. 76: seach after truth -> search after truth.</p> - -<p>P. 129: prince of the the Zend family -> prince of the Zend family.</p> - -<p>P. 145: venemous species -> venomous species.</p> - -<p>P. 150: as to to its size -> as to its size.</p> - -<p>P. 165: Two dervises -> Two dervishes.</p> - -<p>P. 167: being unusal for him -> being unusual for him.</p> - -<p>P. 177: banished his presence -> banished from his presence.</p> - -<p>P. 183: frighful precipices -> frightful precipices.</p> - -<p>P. 208: embassadors -> ambassadors.</p> - -<p>P. 232: beeen compelled -> been compelled.</p> - -<p>P. 269: let me me fulfil my vow -> let me fulfil my vow.</p> - -<p>P. 274: the present governer -> the present governor.</p> -</div> - -<p> </p> -<hr class="full" /> -<p>***END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK SKETCHES OF PERSIA***</p> -<p>******* This file should be named 52189-h.htm or 52189-h.zip *******</p> -<p>This and all associated files of various formats will be found in:<br /> -<a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/5/2/1/8/52189">http://www.gutenberg.org/5/2/1/8/52189</a></p> -<p> -Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions will -be renamed.</p> - -<p>Creating the works from print editions not protected by U.S. copyright -law means that no one owns a United States copyright in these works, -so the Foundation (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United -States without permission and without paying copyright -royalties. 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Thus, we do not -necessarily keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper -edition.</p> - -<p>Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search -facility: www.gutenberg.org</p> - -<p>This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, -including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary -Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to -subscribe to our email newsletter to hear about new eBooks.</p> - -</body> -</html> - diff --git a/old/52189-h/images/cover.jpg b/old/52189-h/images/cover.jpg Binary files differdeleted file mode 100644 index f73a5c1..0000000 --- a/old/52189-h/images/cover.jpg +++ /dev/null diff --git a/old/52189.txt b/old/52189.txt deleted file mode 100644 index b547857..0000000 --- a/old/52189.txt +++ /dev/null @@ -1,11779 +0,0 @@ -The Project Gutenberg eBook, Sketches of Persia, by John Malcolm - - -This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and most -other parts of the world at no cost and with almost no restrictions -whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms of -the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online at -www.gutenberg.org. If you are not located in the United States, you'll have -to check the laws of the country where you are located before using this ebook. - - - - -Title: Sketches of Persia - - -Author: John Malcolm - - - -Release Date: May 29, 2016 [eBook #52189] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: ISO-646-US (US-ASCII) - - -***START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK SKETCHES OF PERSIA*** - - -E-text prepared by Brian Coe, Moti Ben-Ari, and the Online Distributed -Proofreading Team (http://www.pgdp.net) from page images generously made -available by Internet Archive/American Libraries -(https://archive.org/details/americana) - - - -Note: Images of the original pages are available through - Internet Archive/Americn Libraries. See - https://archive.org/details/sketchesofpersia00malc - - - - - -SKETCHES OF PERSIA. - -by - -SIR JOHN MALCOLM, - -Author of 'History of Persia,' 'History of India,' etc., etc. - -New Edition. - - - - - - - -London: -John Murray, Albemarle Street. -1861. - -London: Printed by W. Clowes and Sons, Stamford Street, -and Charing Cross. - - - - - TO - JOHN FLEMING, ESQ., M.D., F.R.S., &C., - LATE PRESIDENT OF THE MEDICAL BOARD OF CALCUTTA, - BY - HIS MOST SINCERE AND ATTACHED FRIEND, - THE AUTHOR. - - - - -CONTENTS. - - - Page - INTRODUCTION xi - - CHAPTER I. - Voyage from Bombay to the Persian Gulf 1 - - CHAPTER II. - Muscat 6 - - CHAPTER III. - The Persian Gulf and Abusheher 15 - - CHAPTER IV. - Camp at Abusheher--Horses--Abdulla Aga--Anecdote of an Arab 22 - - CHAPTER V. - Hunting and hawking--Entertainment of the - Shaikh--Tollemache--Mirage--Nadir Shah and Turkish ambassador 28 - - CHAPTER VI. - Elchee's lectures--Mehmandar's journal--Arab - nurse--Blue-Beard--Persian ceremony--King's picture 37 - - CHAPTER VII. - Mountaineers--Valley of Kazeroon--Virtue of Nitric Acid--Riza Kooli - Khan's loss of eyes--Extraordinary birds--Beautiful valley of - Desht-e-Arjun--Mahomet Riza Khan Byat--Irish patriotism--Persian - squire 45 - - CHAPTER VIII. - Principal characters of the mission--Mahomed Hoosein - Khan--Jaffier Ali Khan--Meerza Aga Meer--Mahomed Hoosein--Hajee - Hoosein--Candidates for the Elchee's favour 53 - - CHAPTER IX. - Importance of forms--Description of those used at visits in - Persia--Difficulties on this subject--Happy termination of a battle - of ceremonies between the first mission and the petty court of - Shiraz--Persian society--Fables and Apologues 62 - - CHAPTER X. - Fable of the two cats--Preamble to Persian treaty--Apologues from - Sadee--Letter from Nizam-ool-Moolk to Mahomed Shah--Death of - Yezdijird 77 - - CHAPTER XI. - Shiraz--Shaikh-ool-Islum, or Chief Judge--Story of - Ald-ool-Kadir--Entertainments--Derveesh Seffer--Story of Abdulla of - Khorassan--Persian poet 87 - - CHAPTER XII. - Persian servants--Departure from Shiraz--Persepolis--Tale of the - labours of Roostem--Anecdote of a sportsman 105 - - CHAPTER XIII. - Travellers and Antiquaries--Wild - Ass--Hawking--Mader-e-Suliman--Akleed--Mirrors--Mehdee - Khan--Isfahan--Persian citizens and peasantry--Shah Abbas the - Great--Haroon-oor-Rasheed--Nethenz 123 - - CHAPTER XIV. - Cashan--Scorpions--Cashanee youth--Village of Sinsin--Plundering - expeditions of the Turkamans--Account of that tribe--Wandering - tribes--Visit to the dwelling of Mihrab Khan--Afshar--Account of - his family and adherents--Anecdote of Kerreem Khan 145 - - CHAPTER XV. - Arrival at Koom--Mahomedan ladies--their rights and privileges - after marriage--Divorces--Story of Hajee Salah, the cross-grained - 161 - - CHAPTER XVI. - Departure from Koom--Poolee-Dellak--Derya-e-Kebeer--Valley of the - Shadow of Death--Story of a Ghool--Remarks on Persian poetry 180 - - CHAPTER XVII. - Distant view of Teheran--Demavend--Rhe--Entrance into the - capital--Hajee Ibrahim--Zal Khan--Terms of courtesy 197 - - CHAPTER XVIII. - Terms of reception at court--Second visit--Delivery - of presents--King's grant--Private interviews--King's - ancestors--Crown jewels--King's love of a joke--Mode of passing his - time--Harem--Royal meals--Hajee Ibrahim--His character and death - 207 - - CHAPTER XIX. - Progress of the Russians--Buonaparte--Second visit to - Tullanea--King Abbas Meerza--Reflections--Electrifying - machine--Phantasmagoria--Ministers of the Persian court--Mahomed - Hoosein Khan Mervee 225 - - - - -INTRODUCTION. - - -Once upon a time this island of Great Britain had some spots where -men and women and little children dwelt, or were believed to dwell, -in innocence, ignorance, and content. Travellers seldom visited them; -poets saw them in their dreams, and novelists told stories of them: but -these days are now past. Thanks to steam-boats and stagecoaches, there -is not a spot to which an ignorant or sage human being can retire, -where his eye will not be delighted or offended by a dark column of -smoke, or his ear gratified or grated by the rattling wheels of a -carriage. It is perhaps a consequence of this invasion of retirement -that all are tempted from their homes, and that while one half of the -population is on the highways, the other half is on the narrow seas. -This love of travel, however, is in the vast majority limited to the -neighbouring countries of Europe; but the ardour of curiosity, and -an ambitious desire of escaping from the beaten track, has of late -years induced not a few scientific and enterprising travellers to -overrun the renowned lands of Greece and Egypt, whose inhabitants stare -with astonishment at men flying with impatience from town to town, -exploring ruins; measuring pyramids; groping in dark caverns; analyzing -the various properties of earth, air, and water; carrying off mutilated -gods and goddesses; packing up common stones and pebbles, as if they -were rubies and diamonds; and even bearing away the carcases of the -dead, strangely preferring the withered frame of a female mummy, which -has been mouldering for four thousand years in its sepulchre, to the -loveliest specimens of living and animated beauty. - -The uniformed natives of these countries, whose condition is much to -be deplored, are not aware that the great Samuel Johnson has said, -that "Whatever raises the past, the distant, and the future, above -the present, exalts us in the dignity of human beings;" which is an -unanswerably good reason for the preference given to mummies over every -living object, however fascinating. - -The rage of the present day for mummies and other delectable reliques -of antiquity has deluged Egypt with itinerant men of science and -research, who have quite exhausted that land of wonders; and those who -have lately visited it have been reduced, from actual want of other -aliment, to the necessity of preying upon their predecessors, many of -whom have been cruelly mangled, and some wholly devoured. - -These wandering tribes of writers, who are, in a certain degree, -subject to the same motives which force the hordes of Tartary to -change their places of abode, have recently begun to migrate into -Syria, Asia Minor, and some have actually penetrated as far as Persia. -This has given me no small alarm, for I have long had designs upon -that country myself: I had seen something of it, and had indulged a -hope that I might, at my leisure, gratify the public by allowing them -to participate in my stock of information; but being of an indolent -disposition, I deferred the execution of this, my favourite plan, until -that anticipated period of repose, the prospect of which, however -distant, has always cheered a life of vicissitude and labour. - -Nothing that had hitherto appeared respecting Persia at all frightened -me. I am no historian, therefore I did not tremble at Sir John -Malcolm's ponderous quartos; I am no tourist, Mr. Morier's Journeys -gave me no uneasiness; the learned Researches of Sir William Ouseley -were enough to terrify an antiquarian, but that was not my trade; and, -as I happen to have clumsy, untaught fingers, and little if any taste -for the picturesque, I viewed without alarm the splendid volumes of Sir -Robert Ker Porter. Far different, however, was the case when that rogue -Hajji Baba made his appearance. I perused him with anxiety, but was -consoled by finding that, though he approached the very borders of my -province, he had made no serious inroads. I was roused, however, into -action, and determined instantly to rummage those trunks into which my -sketches had been thrown as they were finished, and where many of them -had slumbered undisturbed for nearly thirty years. - -I must warn the reader that the trunks here spoken of bear no -resemblance whatever to those imaginary boxes which it has lately been -the fashion to discover, filled with MSS. unaccountably deposited -in them by some strange and mysterious wight; mine are all real, -well-made, strong, iron-clamped boxes, which I had prepared with -great care, in order that they might preserve the papers I from time -to time intrusted to them. I am well aware that this plain and true -statement of the fact will, with many, diminish the interest of these -pages; but with others it will increase it; for they will be gratified -to find in them sketches taken on the spot, while the facts and the -feelings to which they relate were fresh and warm before me; and I can -truly affirm, that the sense, the nonsense, the anecdotes, the fables, -and the tales,--all, in short, which these volumes contain, with the -exception of a few sage reflections of my own, do actually belong to -the good people amongst whom they profess to have been collected. - -Yet, partial as I was to my secret hoard, it was long before I could -make up my mind to publish. While I was one day musing upon the -subject, my attention was accidentally drawn to a volume of Persian -poetry that was lying on the table. A fal or lot, I exclaimed, shall -put an end to my indecision! Saying which, according to the usage of -my Persian friends in like cases, I shut my eyes, opened the book, and -counting seven pages back, read the first four lines, as follows: - - "Her kih sefer kerdeh pesendeedeh sheved - Z'aeena-e-noor kemal-esh deedeh sheved - Pakeezeter ez ab nebashed cheezee - Her jah kih kooned mekam gendeedeh sheved." - - "Whoever has travelled shall be approved; - His perfections shall be reflected as from a mirror of light. - There can be nothing more pure than water; - But wherever it stagnates it becomes offensive." - -My delight was excessive, and I despatched my manuscripts forthwith -to the bookseller; who has been desired to keep me minutely informed -of the success of these volumes; and a hint has been given him, that -if they meet with encouragement, the contents of the boxes before -mentioned are far from being exhausted. - - - - -NOTE TO THE READER. - - -The usual orthography of some proper names has been altered, with a -view of rendering them more conformable to the pronunciation and the -grammar of the languages to which they belong. For instance, our old -friend and favourite, the caliph Haroun-al-Raschid of the Arabian -tales, appears under his Arabic name of Haroon-oor-Rasheed. The -critical reader will also discover that a few of the Eastern words have -not always been spelled exactly alike. This unintentional typographical -inaccuracy was caused by the peculiar circumstances under which these -volumes were printed. - - - - -SKETCHES OF PERSIA. - - - - -CHAPTER I. - -Voyage from Bombay to the Persian Gulf. - - -There is a monotony in a long sea-voyage, particularly to passengers, -which those who have never traversed the wide ocean cannot well -understand. A fair or contrary wind, a calm or a storm, a man -overboard, a strange sail, or the hooking of a shark, are events -which rouse for the moment; but the passenger soon sinks again into -his listless, restless life, sitting half an hour below, walking -another half hour on deck, holding on by the rigging when the ship -rolls, looking over the gangway when the sea is smooth, watching the -man casting the log, and waiting with anxiety to hear the latitude -announced at twelve o'clock. His little incidents are, being in the way -of the officer of the watch when upon deck, and when below disturbing -the captain's calculations of the longitude, by laughing or talking -with other idlers; for that is the class in which he is registered -in the muster-roll of the crew. With me, however, there is a pursuit -which helps to beguile a long voyage. I am always on the lookout for -odd characters, and these abound at sea; from which circumstance, I -suppose, we have our common phrase of calling an out-of-the-way person -"an odd fish," alluding to the element where he is generally found. -Such a one I met on board the frigate in which we sailed for Persia, -and I shall give a sketch of him as taken at the moment. - -This man, whose name was Peterson, was what he appeared to be, a blunt -sailor: his experience in the Indian seas recommended him to the -situation he now occupied, as acting master of a frigate: he was a -figure to play Falstaff, being very stout, and nearly six feet high. He -wore his clothes loose, and, when he came on board, a sailor, struck -with his appearance, turning his quid as he eyed him, exclaimed, "We -shall never be in distress for canvass; our new master wears a spare -set of sails." - -I shall give Peterson's history in his own words, as related after -dinner the day he came on board. "I have been," said he, "thirty-two -years at sea, and have seen both calms and storms. When a young man, -I was stuck full of arrows by some savage Americans; and but for a -tobacco-box, which stopped one that hit upon a vital part, I should -have gone to Davy's locker at that time. Since I came to this country, -twenty-eight years ago, I have had many ups and downs, but weathered -them all pretty tolerably till three years since, when coming to Bombay -in a small sloop, I was laid on board by some pirates belonging to -Bate.[1] We fought as well as we could, but the rascals were too many -for us, and while we were defending one part of the vessel they sprung -on board at another, giving a fire at the same time, which killed my -owner close beside me. A passenger then jumped overboard, for which, -thought I, 'you are a fool;' for let the worst come to the worst, a man -may do that at any time. One of these fellows looking at me cried 'Mar -haramee,' which means, 'kill the rascal.' 'Mut mar,' 'don't kill him,' -said a soft-hearted looking fellow, and defended me from the blow; -so they did not kill me, but stripped and bound me to the capstan, -and away they took us to Bate. When we came there, the chief or head -fellow came on board, and I fully expected we should be sent ashore and -hanged. When this chap sent for me, I was a pretty figure; I had not -been shaved for three weeks, and I was wrapped round with a top-gallant -studding sail. 'What are you?' said the fellow. 'An Englishman,' said -I. 'Very well; I won't kill you.' 'Faith,' thinks I, 'I'm very glad -of that.' 'My people,' says he, 'are all big thieves.' 'Egad,' thinks -I, 'you are the biggest of the gang.' He then asked me what money or -property I had; and I thought at one time he looked as if he would have -given it back; so I tells him all, even to my gold watch. The whole was -about five thousand rupees. 'Well, well,' says he, 'it shall be taken -care of;' and I suppose it was, for I never saw a rap of it, only five -rupees that the villain gave me, in a present, as he called it, to bear -my expenses when he sent me and my crew to Bombay. - -"I left Bate, notwithstanding my losses, as happy as could be, to get -out of their clutches alive; and after some days we reached Bombay in a -pretty pickle; my feet were swelled, I had not shaved since my capture, -and I had only a few ragged clothes on. Two rupees were left out of -the five, and with them I went to a tavern and ordered breakfast; when -it was over I told one of the servants to call his master. In came an -English waiter, with his head all powdered, shuffling and mincing, -saying, as he entered the room, 'Do you want me, Sir?' 'Yes,' says I, -'I want you: I have been plundered, and have got no cash, and will -thank you to lend me twenty or thirty rupees.' 'What are you--a common -sailor?' 'Not quite,' says I; 'but I want the money to get a few -clothes, and then I can go to my friends.' 'I am not master of this -house,' said this gentleman, and out he skips. I saw no more of him -or his twenty rupees; and when I told a servant to get me a tiffin, -he said I had not paid for my breakfast. As I was jawing with this -fellow, a Parsee[2] came in, and asked me if I had not better go to the -bazar, and borrow some clothes, and then go to my friends. Well, God -knows, I had not much heart to do any thing; for the unkindness of my -countryman, after all I had suffered, cut me just as if I had been cut -with a knife; but I thought I might as well follow the Parsee, who was -one of those fellows that go about Bombay trying what they can make of -every body they meet. I goes first to one shop, and tries things on; -and when they fit, I says, 'I will pay you to-morrow;' but the fellow -says, 'No; ready money.' Well, I was obliged to strip again: this -happened at four shops, and I was quite tired, when a good fellow, who -keeps No. 18, of the Great Bazar, said I might fit myself, and pay when -I could. I then got rigged, and stood away for Mr. Adamson, whom I had -before known. I met him at the door of his house, and he did not know -me; but when I told him my story--'Oh!' says he, quite pitiful, 'are -you the poor fellow who has suffered so much? I will get you a berth -in another ship--and take this.' So saying, he gives me one hundred -rupees. Well, I thanked him; and next goes to Captain Phillips, and got -from him a present of two gold mohurs, and six suits of good clothes, -from top to toe. He made me report and write three or four sheets about -Bate, and how I had been used; and then sent me to the governor, Mr. -Duncan, who gets all the long story from me again, and then gave me -one hundred rupees. I had now two hundred and thirty rupees and clean -rigging. I goes again to the tavern, and sings out lustily for tiffin. -Well, they look and sees I am quite a different thing from before, and -so become mighty civil and attentive. The waiter begs my pardon--says -he was mistaken--and that he had twenty rupees ready, and would give me -any aid I liked. 'D----n your aid,' says I; 'you are very ready to give -it to any person who does not want it.' It was a great treat to me to -serve him as I did: I eat my tiffin, paid for it on the table, and left -the house. - -"Well," said Peterson, "to make a long story short, I went in a China -ship, and last year got the command of a vessel belonging to a Persian -merchant, who trades to the Gulf. He was a bad owner, had no credit, -and, what with that and the fear of the Arabs, I had a troublesome time -of it. We parted; and he has got another captain, rather black to be -sure, but he likes him all the better, I suppose, from being nearer his -own vile colour than I was; and I, by this means, being along shore, -having no money or credit, am glad to come as acting-master of this -here ship. I thank God I have good health, and don't complain; many are -worse off than I am." - -Such was our master's[3] history. In a conversation I had with him, as -we were walking the deck, the day we arrived at Muscat, I asked him if -he had a wife? "No;" said he. "You were never married, then?" "I didn't -say so," he replied. "I beg your pardon," said I. "Oh! no harm, no -harm! the honest truth never need be hid: I was married: but taking a -long voyage, being away seven years, and my letters (of which, by the -by, I wrote but few) miscarrying, what does my wife do, but marries -again. This I heard when I got home to England." "And what did you do?" -said I; "did you inquire after her?" "Indeed I did not," said Peterson -with great indifference; "I didn't think her worth so much trouble; she -was glad, I suppose, to get rid of me, and, God knows, I was not sorry -to be shot of her." - -The vicissitudes to which sailors are subject train them to bear what -are termed the ups and downs of life better than any other men in the -world. They appear, when afloat, not only to leave all their cares -on shore, but to forget the hardships incident to their condition. -A remarkable instance of this was given by our captain, who told us -that he went one day to see a tender, on board which there was a great -number of men who had just been pressed, and who, though strictly -confined in their floating prison, were, nevertheless, joining in the -chorus of one of our patriotic airs, and singing with great glee the -old song:-- - - "Who are so free as we sons of the waves?" - -FOOTNOTES: - -[1] The island of Bate is situated at the north-western extremity of -the Gulf of Cutch. - -[2] Parsee is the name of the descendants of the ancient Persians, who -still retain the usages and religion of their forefathers. There are -many of these followers of Zoroaster at Bombay, where they form, if not -the most numerous, the most respectable part of the native community. - -[3] This old sailor is now no more. He continued unlucky till he found -a generous patron at Bombay, whose active benevolence gave repose and -comfort to his latter days. - - - - -CHAPTER II. - -Muscat. - - -"Land from the mast-head!" "What does it look like?" "High land, sir, -on the larboard bow, stretching away to the north-west." "Can you see -land to starboard?" "No." "Then," says the captain, with some little -swell, "we have just hit it; the watch is a good one; and three or -four hours of this will bring us into Muscat." The prediction proved -correct. Now, if I understood perspective and retrospective, how I -would delight my readers by contrasting the barren rocky hills of -Arabia, where not a trace of vegetable nature is to be found, with the -shaded shores of Ceylon, and the dark forests that clothe the lofty -mountains of Malabar! But I am not a picturesque traveller; suffice it -therefore to say, the arid hills we were now contemplating protect, -by almost encircling it, a cove, at the extremity of which is a small -plain, crowded with high houses, which form the city of Muscat. This -emporium to the trade of the Persian Gulf is defended by batteries -which command its narrow entrance, as well as by fortifications that -cover every part of the uneven and mis-shapen hills and crags around it. - -Muscat is governed by a prince whose title is Imam, and whose -authority, like that of many chiefs in Arabia, is more of a patriarchal -than despotic character. Though he has large fleets, including some -fine frigates, and a considerable army to garrison his possessions -on the coast of Africa, the shores of Arabia, and the islands of -the Persian Gulf, he must attend to the summons of any inhabitant -of Muscat who calls him to a court of justice. Your sceptics who -deny the existence of any just administration of power, except in -the commonwealth of Europe, may call this a mere form. Be it so: yet -the knowledge that such a form was observed went far, in my mind, to -mark the character of this petty government. But it is the eye, the -disposition, and the judgment of the observer, more than what is -actually seen, that stamps the condition of distant nations with those -who have to form their opinions at second-hand; and the generality of -readers, who have their happiness grounded on a natural prejudice in -favour of their own ways and usages, lean toward such as minister to -their pride and patriotism, by throwing a dark shade on all they meet -different from Old England, or some of those countries in its vicinity, -for which their good climate, cheap viands, and well flavoured wines -have created a predilection. - -The eastern hemisphere continues to have a certain venerable air with -old men from a belief that the star of knowledge first enlightened its -horizon: children delight in it from its containing the enchanting -tales of the "Thousand and one Nights;" ladies admire its flowered -muslins, rich shawls, pure pearls, and brilliant diamonds; merchants -view it as a source of commercial wealth; the naturalist, the botanist, -and the geologist, search its plains, its forests, and its mountains, -for unicorns, spikenard, splendid specimens of zeolite, and grand -basaltic formations; the English soldier looks to its fields for a -harvest of reputation; while pious missionaries sally forth with more -than military zeal, to reclaim the millions of the East from their -errors, and direct them in the path of life. - -Almost all these, however different their objects, concur in one -sentiment, that the rulers of the East are despots, and their subjects -slaves; that the former are cruel, the latter degraded and miserable, -and both equally ignorant. - -I had seen the father of the present Imam of Muscat when I accompanied -a former mission to Persia; we had been introduced to him on board the -Ganjava, his flag ship, of a thousand tons burthen, and carrying forty -guns. We found him, though surrounded with some state, very simply -attired; he had a shawl rolled round his head as a turban, and the Arab -cloak, which hung over his plain robes, was of white broadcloth, no -way ornamented; he wore no jewels, and had no arms, not even a dagger, -about his person; his manner was plain and manly, and marked his -active enterprising character. The eyes of his crew (Arabs, Nubians, -and Abyssinians), who were upon or near the quarter-deck, though they -wandered now and then among his visitors, were usually fixed on their -prince; but their countenance indicated affection, not fear; and I -could not but observe that he never looked at or spoke to any of them -but with kindness. - -During this visit, while we were sitting under the awning spread over -the deck, several captains of his largest vessels, who had just arrived -from Bussorah, came on board. The Imam was in the cabin with the -Envoy, and before he came out, I was pleased to see the hearty manner -in which these commanders saluted and were received by almost all on -board. "Salam alicum!" (Peace be with you!) was heard from all, while -every one who met a friend took his right hand, and, after shaking -it, raised it as high as his breast. What appeared singular, was the -extent of this cordial and familiar greeting; it was not limited by -those rules which are found necessary in more civilised societies. -The Arab sailor, however low his occupation, exhibited an ease and -independence in addressing the commanders, which showed that, as far as -the intercourse between man and man was concerned, he deemed himself -his equal. I asked a person sitting near me, if this familiarity did -not now and then interfere with discipline? "No," he answered; "the -line is well understood, and in cases of deviation there is a severe -punishment; for with us, Arabs, the right of addressing our superiors, -as you have now seen, is our proudest privilege, and its loss, which -would be the consequence of the abuse of it, would be deeply felt, both -as a privation and a disgrace." - -The above scene was interrupted by the opening of the cabin door, and -every one fell into his place as the Imam came upon deck. He stood -while the commanders, who had returned from their voyage, advanced in -their turns, according to their rank, and, taking his extended right -hand in both theirs, pressed it, at the same time bending their bodies -in a low bow, after which they raised their right hand in salutation -to their head, then placing it on their heart, retired backwards. The -Imam, after this ceremony was ended, seated himself, desiring us and -all his principal officers to do the same. - -We had a dinner prepared on board, of which the whole party partook; -and when we came away, I was struck, as we passed under the stern of -the vessel, by seeing some of the Imam's ladies, among whom was his -favourite wife, unveiled, looking at us with eager curiosity. They -appeared much pleased, which we imputed to the notice the Envoy had -taken of the Imam's sons, two fine boys, each of whom was gratified -with appropriate presents. - -The view I had taken of the Imam's court--the intercourse we had with -him, his sons, and chief officers--the security which I observed -merchants and other inhabitants, both Mahomedan and Hindu, enjoying -at Muscat, gave me a very pleasing impression of that place, and I -had made a sketch of the manners and customs of the people, no way -unfavourable. This I showed one day to a friend, who was a captain in -the navy, who, rather to my surprise, burst into a fit of laughter, -and said, he could show me a very opposite picture of the same scene. -"There is an order from the Admiralty," said he, "that the officers -of a man-of-war, when they visit a port little known, should describe -the manners and customs of the inhabitants. I have a blunt fellow of a -master, an excellent seaman, but who troubles himself very little with -matters on shore. Curious to have his observations, and knowing that -he had two or three times visited the town of Muscat, I insisted on -his complying with orders, and filling up the column of his journal. -He evaded this duty as long as he could: at last, in despair, he went -to his cabin, and returning with his book, said, 'There, sir, I have -obeyed orders, and you will find all I could write about these black -fellows, and all they deserve.' I took the journal and read, - - 'Inhabitants of Muscat. - -'As to manners they have none; and their customs are very beastly.'" - -This picture of the good master will no doubt be deemed by many truer -than mine; and travellers who limit their observations to the busy -beach, crowded with slaves, covered with packages of dates, blackened -with flies, and scented with putrid salt fish, will be certain to -prefer this laconic description of this rude and dirty people; or, -supposing them to enter the vile narrow streets of the town, and -see (as they may) strings of slaves walking, with a man following -and calling out their prices as he exhibits them in this ambulatory -auction:--"Number one--handsome young man, five hundred piastres; -number two--a little older, but very healthy and strong, four hundred -piastres;" and so on till he describes his whole string of unhappy -bipeds:--who would not turn with indignation and disgust from such -filth and abomination! - -If, however, we have nerve enough to look a little farther into -the scene which has been described, we shall find that the reason -why houses are crowded upon each other, till cleanliness becomes -impossible, is because men and their property are protected at this -port against injustice and oppression; and our disgust at the effect -will in a great degree be removed by contemplating the cause. Even -with regard to the sale of slaves, of which Muscat is the great mart, -though the mode of disposing of them appears to justify the master's -designation of the inhabitants as "beastly in their customs," yet when -we take a comparative view of the fate of the victims of this commerce, -from the stain of which our own country is hardly yet purified, and -which is still carried on, openly or clandestinely, by almost every -power of civilised Europe, we shall be compelled to acknowledge the -superior humanity of Asiatic nations. - -The slave in eastern countries, after he is trained to service, attains -the condition of a favoured domestic; his adoption of the religion of -his master is usually the first step which conciliates the latter. -Except at a few sea-ports, he is seldom put to hard labour. In Asia -there are no fields tilled by slaves, no manufactories in which they -are doomed to toil; their occupations are all of a domestic nature, and -good behaviour is rewarded by kindness and confidence, which raises -them in the community to which they belong. The term gholam, or slave, -in Mahomedan countries, is not one of opprobrium, nor does it even -convey the idea of a degraded condition. The Georgians, Nubians, and -Abyssinians, and even the Seedee, or Caffree, as the woolly-headed -Africans are called, are usually married, and their children, who are -termed house-born,[4] become, in a manner, part of their master's -family. They are deemed the most attached of his adherents: they often -inherit a considerable portion of his wealth; and not unfrequently -(with the exception of the woolly-headed Caffree) lose, by a marriage -in his family, or by some other equally respectable connexion, all -trace of their origin. - -According to the Mahomedan law, the state of slavery is divided into -two conditions--the perfect and absolute, or imperfect and privileged. -Those who belong to the first class are, with all their property, at -the disposal of their masters. The second, though they cannot, before -emancipation, inherit or acquire property, have many privileges, and -cannot be sold or transferred. A female, who has a child to her master, -belongs to the privileged class; as does a slave to whom his master has -promised his liberty, on the payment of a certain sum, or on his death. - -The greatest encouragement is given in the Koran,[5] and by all -commentaries on that volume, to the manumission of slaves. Mahomed -has said, "Unto such of your slaves as desire a written instrument, -allowing them to redeem themselves, on paying a certain sum, write one, -if ye know good in them, and give them of the riches of God, which he -hath given you." - -It is in obedience to this precept that pious Mahomedans often grant -small pieces of land to a slave, or teach him a profession, that he -may, through industry and frugality, attain the means of paying for -his freedom, at the same time that he acquires habits which render him -worthy of the great gift. Mahomedans are also encouraged to manumit -their slaves by the law, which gives them a title, as residuary heir, -to any property which the person to whom they may have granted freedom -dies possessed. - -On one point the slaves in Mahomedan countries are on a footing with -free females: they are only liable, for any crimes they commit, to -suffer half the punishment to which a free man would be subject. This -law proceeds on the ground of their not being supposed on a par, as -to knowledge or social ties, with other parts of the community. The -application, however, of this principle of justice to cases where the -law awards death or amputation, has puzzled the wise Moullahs, or -doctors, who have resorted to the usual remedy, of writing ponderous -volumes upon the subject; but I do not learn that they have yet -discovered a plan by which an offending woman or slave can be punished -with the loss of half a life; or an operation be performed, which will -leave them with a half-amputated limb. - -To return to Muscat: I had visited it at all seasons; it was now -winter, and the climate was pleasant; in summer, the heat is -intolerable. Shut out by the hills from every breeze, except that which -blows directly into the narrow entrance of the cove, there is seldom -a breath of air; and the reflection of the sun, from the bare rocks -and white fortifications which overhang the town and harbour, produces -a temperature, which is described by a Persian poet as giving to a -panting sinner a lively anticipation of his future destiny! - -The young Imam, Syed Sayed, was absent on an expedition; but I -regretted this the less as I had seen his father, who was, in -simplicity of manners, good sense, and courage, the equal of his -deserving son. - -Among the first who came on board, I was pleased to see my old friend, -Mahomed Gholoum. Being a good seaman, he had, on the former mission, -in the year 1800, acted as our pilot from Muscat to Ormus. He was -now advanced to be a pilot of the state, being one of the principal -ministers of the young Imam, of whose character he spoke in high -praise. "His father," said he, "was a brave man; he was killed in -battle; and if his son goes on exposing himself everywhere, he will -be killed also. He will regret much not seeing the Envoy, of whose -kindness to him when a boy he retains a grateful recollection; for he -preserves with great care the model of a seventy-four gun ship, with -which he was presented by him." - -Mahomed Gholoum was not changed by his prosperity, but retained all the -frankness and manliness of an Arab sailor. We had many old stories, and -at one, in which he was a prominent actor, he laughed very heartily. He -had wished to take our vessel, the Bombay frigate, to the southward of -Ormus; but as we neared that island, the wind headed us, as the sailors -call it, at the same time that it increased to a gale, and our pilot -told the captain we had nothing left but to run for the harbour we -desired to make, by steering between the island and the Persian shore. -We did so; the weather became worse--it blew a hurricane; the channel, -which is narrow, was missed, and we touched on a mud-bank, where the -ship settled for a moment, and the waves dashed over her. The captain -ordered more sail, to try and force her through the mud, exclaiming -at the same time, "I would rather give a lac of rupees than lose the -Company's ship." "Never mind the Company's ship," said a passenger, "so -you land us safe." The seaman in the chains kept heaving the lead, and -calling "Quarter less three." "What is the use of your quarter less -three," said an impatient landsman, "when the ship is aground?" "That's -the captain's business, not mine," said the unconcerned Jack, and again -he hove, and again he called "Quarter less three." At this moment my -attention was drawn to my friend Mahomed Gholoum, who was appalled by -an Irish officer's exclaiming, "I do not understand your vile lingo; -but I will cut your throat, (and he sawed with his finger across his -windpipe to make him comprehend what he meant,) I will cut your throat, -you ignoramus, for drowning of gentlemen in this rascally sea." - -As these scenes were passing, the press of sail which had been put upon -our vessel forced her over the bank: a few minutes more saw us safe in -the harbour of Ormus, and all our danger forgotten. Mahomed Gholoum, -quite exhausted, had, soon after we anchored, fallen asleep on a couch -in the captain's cabin; but he was dreaming of past events, and when I -shook him, to make him rise to partake of supper, he started up, and -with a wild look called out, "How many fathom have you?" We told him to -take his seat, and we would teach him, Mahomedan as he was, to fathom -a bowl. - -Soon after our arrival at Muscat, we were visited by men of all nations -and colours. I was principally attracted by the appearance and manners -of some Arabs from the interior, who were brought on board by their -countrymen to see an English ship of war. Their figures were light -and elastic, their countenances expressed quickness and energy. The -most remarkable of their features were their dark rolling eyes, which -perhaps struck me more from their wandering rapidly from one object -to another, glistening with wonder at all they saw. A good telescope -happened to be placed so as to give a complete view of one of the -farthest fortifications. I called an Arab to look through it, and he -did so for about a minute, then gazed with the most eager attention -at me, and, without saying a word, dashed over the ship's side. When -the boat he was in got to a little distance, he exclaimed, "You are -magicians, and I now see how you take towns; that thing (pointing to -the telescope), be they ever so far off, brings them as near as you -like." We were much amused with his simplicity, but no arguments could -prevail on him to return and receive such a lesson on optics as might -dispel his delusion in supposing us to be adepts in the black art. - -The Arabs at Muscat gave a luxuriant description of some beautiful -valleys about twenty miles from that town; but the result of minute -inquiry forced us to conclude that the green meadows and clear streams -they described owed much of their value to their rarity, and that the -title of Arabia the Happy is rather founded on the barrenness of the -far greater part of this renowned land, than on anything wonderful -either in the climate or productions of the tract to which it is -applied. - -FOOTNOTES: - -[4] Khana-zadeh. - -[5] Vide Sale's Koran, vol. ii, p. 186. - - - - -CHAPTER III. - -The Persian Gulf and Abusheher. - - -When we had fairly entered the Persian Gulf I found myself on classic -ground, where all the wonderful adventures of Sinbad the sailor were, -what a genuine Yankee would call located. I sent for an Arabian -servant called Khudadad, and asked him who were the inhabitants of -the barren shore of Arabia that we saw. He answered, with apparent -alarm--"They are of the sect of Wahabees, and are called Jouassimee; -but God preserve us from them, for they are monsters. Their occupation -is piracy, and their delight murder; and to make it worse, they give -you the most pious reasons for every villainy they commit. They abide -by the letter of the sacred volume, rejecting all commentaries and -traditions. If you are their captive, and offer all you possess to save -your life, they say 'No! it is written in the Koran that it is unlawful -to plunder the living, but we are not prohibited in that sacred work -from stripping the dead;' so saying, they knock you on the head. But -then," continued Khudadad, "that is not so much their fault, for they -are descended from a Houl, or monster, and they act according to their -nature." - -I begged he would inform me about their descent. He seemed surprised -at my ignorance, and said it was a story that he thought was known to -every one in the world, but proceeded to comply with my request. - -"An Arab fisherman," said he, "who lived in a village on the Persian -Gulf, not far from Gombroon, being one day busy at his usual -occupation, found his net so heavy that he could hardly drag it on -shore. Exulting in his good fortune, he exerted all his strength: but -judge of his astonishment, when, instead of a shoal of fish, he saw -in his net an animal of the shape of a man, but covered with hair. He -approached it with caution; but finding it harmless, carried it to his -house, where it soon became a favourite; for, though it could speak no -language, and utter no sound except 'houl, houl,' (from whence it took -its name,) it was extremely docile and intelligent; and the fisherman, -who possessed some property, employed it to guard his flocks. - -"It happened one day that a hundred Persian horsemen, clothed in -complete armour, came from the interior, and began to drive away the -sheep. The Houl, who was alone, and had no arms but a club, made signs -for them to desist; but they only scoffed at his unnatural appearance, -till he slew one or two who approached too near him. They now attacked -him in a body; but his courage and strength were surpassed by his -activity, and while all fell who came within his reach, he eluded every -blow of his enemies; and they fled, after losing half their numbers. - -"The fisherman and his neighbours, when they heard of the battle, -hastened to the aid of the faithful Houl, whom they found in possession -of the horses, clothes, and arms of the vanquished Persians. An Arab -of the village, struck with his valour, and casting an eye of cupidity -at the wealth he had acquired, offered him the hand of his daughter, -who was very beautiful, and she, preferring good qualities to outward -appearance, showed no reluctance to become the bride of this kind and -gallant monster. Their marriage was celebrated with more pomp than was -ever before known in the village; and the Houl, who was dressed in one -of the richest suits of the Persians he had slain, and mounted on one -of their finest horses, looked surprisingly well. He was quite beside -himself with joy, playing such antics, and exhibiting such good humour, -strength, and agility, that his bride, who had at first been pitied, -became the envy of every fisherman's daughter. She would have been more -so, could they have foreseen the fame to which she was destined. She -had four sons, from whom are descended the four tribes of Ben Jouassim, -Ben Ahmed, Ben Nasir, and Ben Saboohil, who are to this day known by -the general name of Ben Houl, or the children of Houl. They are all -fishermen, boatmen, and pirates, and live chiefly at sea, inheriting, -it is believed, the amphibious nature of their common ancestor." - -After this tale was concluded, I asked Khudadad what kind of men -inhabited those high mountains which we saw rising on the Persian -shores of the gulf. Delighted at this second opportunity of showing his -knowledge, he replied, "They also are robbers, but they are not so bad -as the Jouassimee. They refer their first settlement in these mountains -to the devil; but then they are the children of men, and their nature -is not diabolical, though their deeds are sometimes very like it." - -On questioning Khudadad further, I found he had the popular story taken -from Firdousee,[6] and that he kept pretty near to his text; but I -shall give it in his own words. "You have heard of Zohak, prince of -Arabia?" I said I had. "Well then," he continued, "you know he was a -very wicked man. He conquered Jemsheed, king of Persia, who was in -those days deemed the most glorious monarch on earth. After this great -success Zohak was tempted by the devil, who allured him, under the -shape of a venerable old man, to kill his father, that he might become -king of Arabia as well as Persia. In those days men lived on vegetable -diet; but the devil, anxious to destroy as many of the human race as -he could, tempted Zohak with some new roasted eggs, and perceiving -him to relish his food, proposed to cook him a dish of partridges and -quails, with the flavour of which the Prince was so delighted that he -bade his friend ask any favour he liked. The wily old man said all he -wished was to kiss the shoulders of his beloved monarch. They were -bared for that purpose; but no sooner had the infernal lips touched -them than out sprang from each a ravenous serpent, and at the same time -the venerable old man changed to his natural shape, and disappeared in -a thunder-storm, exclaiming that human brains alone would satisfy the -monsters he had created, and that their death would be followed by that -of Zohak. - -"It fell out as the devil foretold: the serpents refused all other -food, and, for a period, two victims were daily slain to satisfy them. -Those charged with the preparation of this horrid repast, seeing the -devil's design, determined on frustrating it; and while they paraded -before Zohak and his serpents the persons who were doomed to death, -they substituted the brains of sheep, and sent their supposed human -victims to the mountains of Kerman and Lauristan, where they increased, -and became a great people, and their descendants still inhabit these -hills. There can be no doubt," said Khudadad, gravely, "of the truth of -what I have told you; for it is all written in a book, and a fine poem -made upon it, which is called the Shah-nameh, or Book of Kings." - -Having acquired this correct information about the shores of the gulf, -I landed at Abusheher,[7] a Persian sea-port, celebrated as the mart -of chintzes and long-ells, of dates and asafoetida. We were met on the -beach by the whole population of the town. What appeared to excite -most admiration was the light company of His Majesty's 84th Regiment, -whose uniform appearance caused no slight wonder. Struck with their -similarity of look, one man exclaimed, "These fellows must all have -had the same father and mother!" "That cannot be," said another, "for -they must all have been born on the same day." "They are proper devils, -I'll warrant them," said an old woman, who had been looking at them -very attentively. They had now received the order to march; and the -regularity with which their feet moved was a new subject of surprise. -An old merchant, called Hajee Ismael, whose life had been spent amongst -his accounts, and who delighted in everything that was regular, stood -at a corner as they passed in files, and kept saying, as he noted -them with his fingers, "correct,[8] correct, correct." Take it all in -all, our landing seemed to give great pleasure to the men, women, and -children of the port of Abusheher. - -We had not been on shore a week before two events occurred, one of -which showed what the Persians thought of us, and the other taught us -what we should think of them. - -Before the year 1800 no political mission from an European nation -had visited the court of Persia for a century; but the English, -though only known in that kingdom as merchants, had fame as soldiers, -from the report of their deeds in India. An officer of one of the -frigates, who had gone ashore to visit the Envoy, when mounted on a -spirited horse, afforded no small entertainment to the Persians by -his bad horsemanship. The next day the man who supplied the ship with -vegetables, and who spoke a little English, met him on board, and said, -"Don't be ashamed, sir, nobody knows you: bad rider! I tell them, you, -like all English, ride well, but that time they see you, very drunk!" -We were much amused at this conception of our national character. The -Persian thought it would have been a reproach for a man of a warlike -nation not to ride well, but none for an European to get drunk. - -The other occurrence was still more characteristic. The Envoy or -Elchee,[9] as the Persians called him, had, among other plans for -doing good, one for the introduction of potatoes. Among those who -listened to him, and applauded his disinterested intentions to benefit -Persia, was a fat, smooth-faced young merchant, who obtained a promise -of a considerable quantity of potatoes for seed, having (according -to his own report) rented a large piece of ground, that he might be -an humble instrument in the hands of the British Representative for -doing good. The latter, pleased with his zeal, honoured this excellent -man with such particular attention, that, conceiving himself a prime -favourite, he ventured one day to suggest that "As the season was too -far advanced for the potatoe-garden that year, it would not be unworthy -of the Elchee's wonted liberality to commute his intended present for -a pair of pistols, or a piece of British broadcloth." This premature -disclosure of the real object of this professed improver of the soil -produced no little ridicule, in which his countrymen, who were jealous -of the favour he had enjoyed, joined most heartily. He was known till -the day of his death, which happened three years ago, by the name of -Potatoes. It is satisfactory to add, that the plan for introducing this -valuable root did not fail: they were found to flourish at Abusheher, -where they are called "Malcolm's[10] plum," after the Elchee, who looks -to the accident which gave his name to a useful vegetable as one of his -best chances of enduring fame. - -The English factory, which had long been at Gombroon, had been removed -some years before to Abusheher. All the old servants had accompanied -it, and one, of the name of Suffer, had recently died, of whom I was -delighted to hear, from the best authority, an anecdote, which did -credit to the kindness of our countrymen, while it showed that even in -this soil, good usage will generate strong and lasting attachment. When -poor Suffer, who had been fifty years a servant in the factory, was on -his death-bed, the English doctor ordered him a glass of wine. He at -first refused it, saying, "I cannot take it; it is forbidden in the -Koran." But after a few moments he begged the doctor to give it him, -saying, as he raised himself in his bed, "Give me the wine; for it is -written in the same volume, that all you unbelievers will be excluded -from Paradise; and the experience of fifty years teaches me to prefer -your society in the other world, to any place unto which I can be -advanced with my own countrymen." He died a few hours after this sally, -which I was glad to observe proved of value to his son, a rough-looking -lad named Derveish, who was introduced by the Resident to the Envoy, at -the time the former told the story of the father's attachment. Derveish -was taken into service, and I have watched his gradual advancement till -he has become the proprietor of a large boat, which is the ne plus -ultra of the ambition of an Abusheheree. - -The natives of this place are almost all of Arab race, and fond of -the sea; a propensity the more remarkable, as it is in such strong -contrast with the disposition of the Persians, of whom all classes have -an unconquerable antipathy to that element. But this is not the only -characteristic distinction between these classes of men, who appear to -agree in nothing but in dwelling in the same town. The Persians, who -have been tempted by the hope of gain to exchange the fine climate of -the elevated plains of the interior, for the sea-ports on the edge of -the sultry desert, which forms the shores of the gulf, retain all the -smooth pliant manners of their country; and they look with disgust on -what they deem the rude barbarous habits of the Arabians, who are the -great body of the inhabitants of this track, and who can scarcely be -distinguished, either in look or sentiment, from their kindred on the -opposite shore. - -A remarkable instance of the difference of character, between the lower -orders of these two classes, occurred one morning, when the Envoy was -preparing a match, to be run by a beautiful English greyhound called -Venus, and a strong Arabian dog named Kessab, or the Butcher. He was -giving directions to his master of the chase, Hyder, and expressing his -sanguine hopes of Venus's success: Mahomed Beg, a tall well-dressed -Persian groom, assented to all his anticipations, saying, "What -pretensions can that Arab dog have to run with the beautiful greyhound -of the Elchee?" - -Others joined in the same language, and the opinion appeared -general, when an Arab, called Gherreeba,[11] whose pay was only four -piastres[12] a month, whose chequered turban and cloth round his middle -were not worth one, and whose occupation was sitting all day exposed to -the sun, watering some grass screens that were placed against the door -of the house to exclude the heat--darted up, and, with an eye of fire -and the most marked energy, exclaimed, "By the all-powerful God, the -Arab dog will triumph."[13] - -Gherreeba was for the moment the representative of the feelings of -his country. The parasites around stood watching the Elchee, and -were not a little mortified when they heard him applaud the honest -warmth and manly independence of the poor Arab, who was invited to -witness the trial. It ended, like most similar trials, in each party -being convinced that their own favourite was, or ought to have been, -the winner. The dogs ran as usual beautifully: Venus was by far the -fleetest; but the chase, which was after a half-grown antelope, proved -long, and the strength of the Butcher prevailed towards the close. It -is however, justice to the deer species, while we are praising the -canine, to add, that the antelope beat them both. - -FOOTNOTES: - -[6] Firdousee is the first of the epic poets of Persia, and few -countries can boast of a greater genius. His chief work, the -Shah-nameh, or Book of Kings, contains, mixed with allegory and fable, -almost all the Persians know of their ancient history. - -[7] Abusheher is the proper name, but it is better known to Europeans -by the abbreviated appellation of Bushire. - -[8] "Hissab," the Persian word, literally means an account; -metaphorically, "correct, or according to a just account." - -[9] Elchee means ambassador, or representative of a foreign nation. - -[10] Alou, e, Malcolm. - -[11] Gherreeb means poor--this man was really so; but it is not unusual -to meet Mahomedans, who are remarkable for their rank, pride, or -wealth, with names of similar character, that have been given by their -mothers in a spirit of religious humility. - -[12] The value of a piastre is about twenty pence. - -[13] Billah il azeem yadhfar al Arab. - - - - -CHAPTER IV. - -Camp at Abusheher--Horses--Abdulla Aga--Anecdote of Arab. - - -Soon after we arrived at Abusheher our camp looked like a fair for -horses and mules. It was necessary to mount, not only the Elchee and -his suite, but his escort of English and Indian cavalry, and all the -servants, public and private; for in Persia nobody walks. To suit the -different persons of our party, animals of different descriptions were -wanted; from the coarse Persian galloway[14] to the Arabian of pure -strain,[15] many of which are bred on the Persian shore, with as much -attention to preserve the original blood, as imported from Arabia, as -could be shown in the first race-studs in England. - -Hyder, the Elchee's master of the chase, was the person who imparted -knowledge to me on all subjects relating to Arabian horses. He would -descant by the hour on the qualities of a colt that was yet untried, -but which, he concluded, must possess all the perfections of its sire -and dam, with whose histories, and that of their progenitors, he was -well acquainted. Hyder had shares in five or six famous brood mares; -and he told me a mare was sometimes divided amongst ten or twelve -Arabs, which accounted for the groups of half-naked fellows whom I saw -watching, with anxiety, the progress made by their managing partner -in a bargain for one of the produce. They often displayed, on these -occasions, no small violence of temper; and I have more than once -observed a party leading off their ragged colt in a perfect fury, at -the blood of Daghee or Shumehtee, or some renowned sire or grandsire, -being depreciated by an inadequate offer, from an ignorant Indian or -European. - -The Arabs place still more value on their mares than on their horses; -but even the latter are sometimes esteemed beyond all price. When the -Envoy, returning from his former mission, was encamped near Bagdad, -an Arab rode a bright bay horse, of extraordinary shape and beauty, -before his tent, till he attracted his notice. On being asked if -he would sell him--"What will you give me?" said he. "It depends -upon his age; I suppose he is past five?" "Guess again," was the -reply. "Four?" "Look at his mouth," said the Arab, with a smile. On -examination he was found rising three; this, from his size and perfect -symmetry, greatly enhanced his value. The Envoy said, "I will give you -fifty tomans."[16] "A little more, if you please," said the fellow, -apparently entertained. "Eighty! a hundred!" He shook his head and -smiled. The offer came at last to two hundred tomans! "Well," said the -Arab, seemingly quite satisfied, "you need not tempt me any farther--it -is of no use; you are a fine Elchee; you have fine horses, camels, and -mules, and I am told you have loads of silver and gold: now," added he, -"you want my colt, but you shall not have him for all you have got." So -saying he rode off to the desert, whence he had come, and where he, no -doubt, amused his brethren with an account of what had passed between -him and the European Envoy. - -Inquiry was made of some officers of the Pasha of Bagdad respecting -this young man; they did not know him, but conjectured that, -notwithstanding his homely appearance, he was the son or brother of a -chief, or perhaps himself the head of a family; and such Arabs, they -said, when in comparative affluence, no money could bribe to sell a -horse like the one described. - -I was one day relating the above story to Abdulla Aga, the former -governor of Bussorah, who was at Abusheher, having been obliged to fly -from Turkey. He told me that, when in authority, he several times had -great trouble in adjusting disputes among Arab tribes regarding a horse -or mare which had been carried off by one of them from another; not on -account of the value of the animals, that having been often offered -ten-fold, but from jealousy of their neighbour's becoming possessed of -a breed of horses which they desired to remain exclusively in their -own tribe. An Arab Shaikh or chief, he told me, who lived within fifty -miles of Bussorah, had a favourite breed of horses. He lost one of his -best mares, and could not for a long time discover whether she was -stolen or had strayed. Some time afterwards, a young man of a different -tribe, who had long wished to marry his daughter, but had always -been rejected by the Shaikh, obtained the lady's consent and eloped -with her. The Shaikh and his followers pursued; but the lover and -his mistress, mounted on the same horse, made a wonderful march, and -escaped. The old chief swore that the fellow was either mounted upon -the devil or the favourite mare he had lost. After his return he found, -on inquiry, the latter was the case; that the lover was the thief of -his mare as well as of his daughter, and that he had stolen the one for -the purpose of carrying off the other. He was quite gratified to think -he had not been beaten by a horse of another breed, and was easily -reconciled to the young man, in order that he might recover the mare, -which appeared an object about which he was more solicitous than his -daughter. - -Abdulla Aga is a man in whose company I take great pleasure. His -understanding is vigorous and strong, and he has sufficient knowledge -of the English character to speak his sentiments with freedom and -confidence. I shall give the substance of a conversation I had with -him about two weeks after my arrival, regarding the present condition -of Persia and Turkey, with the resources and character of both which -states he is intimately acquainted. Speaking of Turkey, he said he had -no idea of its having the power to resist the slightest attack; and he -believed, if left alone, it would soon fall to pieces of itself.--"I -am myself a Turk, and know my countrymen well: from the Grand Signior -to the lowest peasant in the empire, they are alike devoid of public -virtue and patriotism; and that spirit of religion, which has long been -the only bond of union that has kept this unwieldy state together, is -every day becoming fainter; and while the Wahabees are making converts -of the inhabitants of Arabia and Syria, the provinces of Turkey in -Europe are relaxing from their religious zeal, and becoming every day -more ripe for the rule of those Christian nations, under whose power -they must soon fall." - -I could not help saying, I thought he drew an overcharged picture of -the weak and distracted state of his country. "You will soon see," he -said, "whether I am right or wrong. No man, whatever may be his rank, -looks beyond his beard in Turkey: if he can find any expedient that -gives him a prospect of its growing grey in quiet, he is content; and -where all are so decidedly selfish in their views, who is to provide -for the safety of the state, to guard which there must be some common -sentiment of union?" - -"What think you of Persia?" I asked. "Why, twenty times worse than of -Turkey," replied he; "because they are to the full as devoid of every -public principle, and much more ignorant. Believe me, you will soon -be satisfied that they deserve this character. Can there be a doubt, -at the present moment, how they ought to act between you and the -French? And yet you will be able to settle nothing with them that is -in the least satisfactory, without heavy bribes or harsh measures. The -latter," he added, "will be the wisest in the present instance; for to -feed their cupidity is only to whet their appetite, and to encourage -them in a course that will, in its result, prove as injurious to these -short-sighted fools as to the interests of the English government." - -"The Elchee's intentions are so friendly," I observed in reply, "and -his wishes so correspond with their true interests, that they must, I -think, meet them, when all the advantages are explained." "Before you -anticipate success from such an explanation, you should be certain -that those to whom you speak have sense to comprehend you, which the -Persians certainly have not. They think of nothing at this moment -but the Russians, with whom they have discovered they are not able -to contend. The French pretend to relieve them from this formidable -danger, which they have not themselves the courage to face; and they -cling to this promise without ever considering how far those who make -it have the means of performing it. They neither understand the nature -or distance of the resources of England or France, and are consequently -incapable of forming a correct idea of the comparative power which -those states possess of aiding or injuring them. They know that Bombay -is within a month's sail, Madras six weeks, and Calcutta two months; -and they believe you have some ships at these places; but even of these -they have no clear idea; and as to Europe, they are as ignorant as an -Abyssinian." - -"Assuredly," said I, "you underrate their knowledge." "I do not," said -Abdulla; "they are worse than I have painted them, and their ignorance -is so fortified by pride, that there is no hope of their amendment. -Why (said he, with animation), what can you expect from men who are -ignorant of the surface of the globe? There," said he, pointing to a -rude Turkish book on geography, which lay near him, and appeared to -be a translation from an old geographical grammar--"there is the only -source of my knowledge, which does not place me on a par with one of -your schoolboys of twelve years of age; and yet I am a wonder among -these fools, who are astonished at the extent of my information in this -branch of science." - -Though I think it is a very deep and wise observation of that arch -politician Machiavel, that the report of a man who has fled his country -should not be implicitly trusted, as there must be a bias in his mind -to depreciate what he has been obliged to abandon: still there is much -truth in the picture which Abdulla drew of Turkey, and his description -of the Persians was not greatly exaggerated. The knowledge of that -nation is limited to what they see before them, and their ideas of -other States are very indistinct and confused, and consequently liable -to frequent fluctuations and changes. All ranks in Persia are brought -up to admire show and parade; and they are more likely to act from the -dictates of imagination and vanity, than of reason and judgment. Their -character was well drawn by Mahomed Nubbee Khan, the late ambassador -to India. "If you wish my countrymen to understand you, speak to their -eyes, not their ears." - -My conversation with Abdulla Aga was interrupted by the arrival of a -medical gentleman, who had long resided at Abusheher, and who was not -more remarkable for skill in his profession than a kindness of heart, -which led him to devote his time to the poor inhabitants of the country -who sought his aid. He had just been setting the broken leg of an Arab, -of whom he gave us a very characteristic anecdote. - -"The patient," the doctor said, "complained more of the accident which -had befallen him than I thought becoming in one of his tribe. This -I remarked to him, and his answer was truly amusing. 'Do not think, -doctor, I should have uttered one word of complaint if my own high-bred -colt, in a playful kick, had broke both my legs; but to have a bone -broken by a brute of a jackass is too bad, and I will complain.'" - -This distinction of feeling, as to the mode in which bones are broken, -is not confined to the Arabs. I once met an artilleryman, after an -action in India, with his arm shattered, who was loudly lamenting his -bad fortune. I pointed, in an upbraiding manner, to some fine fellows -on the ground, whose luck had been worse. "It is not the wound, sir," -he retorted, in a passion, "of which I complain: had I lost a limb by -a cannon-ball, I should not have said a word; but to lose one by a -rascally rocket would make any one mad!" - -FOOTNOTES: - -[14] Yaboo. - -[15] _Regee Pak_, the term by which these high-bred animals are -distinguished, means literally "pure veins." - -[16] A toman is a nominal coin, nearly the value of a pound sterling. - - - - -CHAPTER V. - - Hunting and Hawking--Entertainment of the - Shaikh--Tollemache--Mirage--Nadir Shah and Turkish Ambassador. - - -We were kept several weeks at Abusheher; and among other amusements -by which we beguiled the tedium of our sojourn at this dull sea-port, -were those of hunting and hawking; which, according to the Nimrods of -our party, are nowhere found in greater perfection: but as the mode -of killing the game differs essentially from that of other countries, -I shall describe it, that such sportsmen as can read may judge of its -merits. - -The huntsmen proceed to a large plain, or rather desert, near the -sea-side: they have hawks and greyhounds; the former carried in the -usual manner, on the hand of the huntsman; the latter led in a leash by -a horseman, generally the same who carries the hawk. When the antelope -is seen, they endeavour to get as near as possible; but the animal, the -moment it observes them, goes off at a rate that seems swifter than -the wind; the horsemen are instantly at full speed, having slipped the -dogs. If it is a single deer, they at the time fly the hawks; but if a -herd, they wait till the dogs have fixed on a particular antelope. The -hawks, skimming along near the ground, soon reach the deer, at whose -head they pounce in succession, and sometimes with a violence that -knocks it over. At all events, they confuse the animal so much as to -stop its speed in such a degree that the dogs can come up; and in an -instant men, horses, dogs, and hawks, surround the unfortunate deer, -against which their united efforts have been combined. The part of the -chase that surprised me most was the extraordinary combination of the -hawks and the dogs, which throughout seemed to look to each other for -aid. This, I was told, was the result of long and skilful training. - -The antelope is supposed to be the fleetest quadruped on earth, and -the rapidity of the first burst of the chase I have described is -astonishing. The run seldom exceeds three or four miles, and often is -not half so much. A fawn is an easy victory; the doe often runs a good -chase, and the buck is seldom taken. The Arabs are, indeed, afraid -to fly their hawks at the latter, as these fine birds, in pouncing, -frequently impale themselves on its sharp horns. - -The hawks used in this sport are of a species that I have never seen in -any other country. This breed, which is called Cherkh, is not large, -but of great beauty and symmetry. - -Another mode of running down the antelope is practised here, and still -more in the interior of Persia. Persons of the highest rank lead their -own greyhounds in a long silken leash, which passes through the collar, -and is ready to slip the moment the huntsman chooses. The well-trained -dog goes alongside the horse, and keeps clear of him when at full -speed, and in all kinds of country. When a herd of antelopes is seen, -a consultation is held, and the most experienced determine the point -towards which they are to be driven. The field (as an English sportsman -would term it) then disperse, and while some drive the herd in the -desired direction, those with the dogs take their post on the same -line, at the distance of about a mile from each other; one of the worst -dogs is then slipped at the herd, and from the moment he singles out -an antelope the whole body are in motion. The object of the horsemen -who have greyhounds is to intercept its course, and to slip fresh dogs, -in succession, at the fatigued animal. In rare instances the second -dog kills. It is generally the third or fourth; and even these, when -the deer is strong, and the ground favourable, often fail. This sport, -which is very exhilarating, was the delight of the late King of Persia, -Aga Mahomed Khan, whose taste is inherited by the present Sovereign. - -The novelty of these amusements interested me, and I was pleased, on -accompanying a party to a village, about twenty miles from Abusheher, -to see a species of hawking, peculiar, I believe, to the sandy plains -of Persia, on which the Hubara,[17] a noble species of bustard is found -on almost bare plains, where it has no shelter but a small shrub called -geetuck. When we went in quest of them we had a party of about twenty, -all well mounted. Two kinds of hawks are necessary for this sport; the -first, the cherkh (the same which is flown at the antelope), attacks -them on the ground, but will not follow them on the wing; for this -reason, the Bhyree, a hawk well known in India, is flown the moment the -hubara rises. - -As we rode along in an extended line, the men who carried the cherkhs -every now and then unhooded and held them up, that they might look -over the plain. The first hubara we found afforded us a proof the -astonishing quickness of sight of one of the hawks; he fluttered to be -loose, and the man who held him gave a whoop, as he threw him off his -hand, and set off at full speed. We all did the same. At first we only -saw our hawk skimming over the plain, but soon perceived, at a distance -of more than a mile the beautiful speckled hubara, with his head erect, -and wings outspread, running forward to meet his adversary. The cherkh -made several unsuccessful pounces, which were either evaded or repelled -by the beak or wings of the hubara, which at last found an opportunity -of rising, when a bhyree was instantly flown, and the whole party were -again at full gallop. We had a flight of more than a mile, when the -hubara alighted, and was killed by another cherkh, who attacked him on -the ground. This bird weighed ten pounds. We killed several others, -but were not always successful, having seen our hawks twice completely -beaten during the two days we followed this fine sport. - -The inhabitants of the country over which we hunted are all Arabs. -They live, like their brethren in other parts, almost entirely on -camels' milk and dates. Their care appears limited to the preservation -of the animal and the propagation of the tree, which yield what they -account the best of this world's luxuries; and these not only furnish -this lively race of men with food, but with almost all the metaphors -in which their language abounds. Of this we had an amusing instance: -amongst others who accompanied the Elchee on this sporting expedition -was a young officer, who measured six feet seven inches: he, like -others, had lain down to take an hour's repose, between our morning and -evening hunt. An old Arab who was desired to awake him, smiling, said -to his servant, "Entreat your date-tree to rise." We had a hearty laugh -at our friend, who was not at first quite reconciled to this comparison -of his commanding stature to the pride of the desert. - -If we were amused by the field-diversions of the Persians and Arabs, -they were equally so with our mode of hunting. The Elchee had brought -a few couples of English fox-hounds, intending them as a present to -the heir-apparent, Abbas Meerza. With this small pack we had several -excellent runs. One morning we killed a fox, after a very hard chase; -and while the rest of the party were exulting in their success, cutting -off poor reynard's brush, praising the hounds, adding some two feet -to a wall their horses had cleared, laughing at those who had got -tumbles, and recounting many a hair-breadth escape, I was entertained -by listening to an Arab peasant, who, with animated gestures, was -narrating to a group of his countrymen all he had seen of this noble -hunt. "There went the fox," said he, pointing with a crooked stick to -a clump of date-trees; "there he went at a great rate; I hallooed, and -hallooed, but nobody heard me, and I thought he must get away; but -when he was quite out of sight, up came a large spotted dog, and then -another and another; they all had their noses on the ground, and gave -tongue, whow, whow, whow, so loud that I was frightened:--away went -these devils, who soon found the poor animal; after them galloped the -Faringees[18], shouting and trying to make a noise louder than the -dogs: no wonder they killed the fox among them; but it is certainly -fine sport. Our Shaikh has no dogs like these." This last remark was -assented to by all present, and the possession of a breed of dogs, -which their Shaikh had not, added not a little, in the eyes of those -peasants, to the character of the mission. - -We were now busy preparing to leave Abusheher. Before we took our -departure, the Shaikh gave the Elchee and his suite an entertainment. -Among other subjects of conversation at this feast, the name of the -Derveish Abdulla, who had some years before visited that port, and -sailed for India, was mentioned. I smiled as they related stories of -his sanctity and learning, and still more as I found different parties, -a Turk, a Persian, and an Arab, contending for the honour their country -derived from his belonging to it. "You have only to hear him speak, and -repeat poetry," said Hajee Ismael, "to be certain he is a Persian." -"It is his recital of passages of the Koran that convinces me he is an -Arab," said the Shaikh. "You may say what you like," said Abdulla Aga, -"but no man but a native of Turkey ever spoke Turkish like Derveish -Abdulla." - -At this part of the conversation I put in my word, and said, "Really, -gentlemen, you are all mistaken; the far-famed Derveish you mention is -a Frenchman, his real name is Tollemache, and I know him well." It was -not a mere smile of incredulity with which they listened. The remark I -had made, while it received not the least credit, excited unpleasant -feelings, and a friend near me whispered that it was better to abstain -from the subject. - -The following is a short history of this remarkable individual, who has -attained such a perfection in the languages and manners of the natives -of Asia as to deceive the most learned. - -Mons. Tollemache, the son of a Dragoman at Constantinople, was many -years ago recommended to Mr. Warren Hastings, who patronised him; but -a quarrel, in which he was involved, at Calcutta, led to his leaving -that city and going to the north-western part of India, from whence he -went into the countries of Cabool, Khorassan, and Persia, and was lost -trace of by his European friends for twelve years. His latter name in -Persia was the Derveish Abdulla, under which he became renowned for his -piety and learning. He had officiated as first reader of prayers[19] -before the late King, who honoured him with his favour. He came to -Abusheher, from whence he went to Surat, where, after his overtures of -service to the English government had been refused, he proceeded to -the Isle of France, and is mentioned in Lord Wellesley's notes as the -person employed there with Tippoo Sultan's Ambassadors. On proceeding -afterwards to the Red Sea he was made prisoner by Admiral Blanket, and -sent to Bombay, where I became acquainted with him at the house of a -friend with whom he resided. - -The memory of Tollemache was stored with rare Persian poems and songs: -his conversation was, from his various knowledge, very entertaining. -Of his power to assume any Asiatic character, the following anecdote -will suffice. He had been dilating on his success in deceiving natives -of the countries through which he passed, and observed me to be rather -incredulous. I had not remarked his leaving the room some minutes -before I did, but, when driving out of the gate, I was so annoyed by -the importunities of a Mahomedan mendicant, who was almost naked, that -I abused him, and threatened to use my whip, if he did not desist, -when the fellow burst into a fit of laughter, and asked me if I so -soon forgot my acquaintances? I could hardly credit my eyes and ears -on recognising Tollemache; and the recollection of this occurrence -prevented me saying more to my friends at the Shaikh's party, whom I -left in the belief that the holy Abdulla was a saint upon earth. - -The first march from Abusheher we had to pass over a desert plain of -considerable extent, on which I amused myself by watching narrowly the -various changes, as we were near or remote from it, of that singular -vapour, called by the French Mirage, and by the Arabs and Persians -Sirab. - -The influence of this vapour in changing the figure of objects is very -extraordinary; it sometimes gives to those seen through it the most -fantastical shapes; and, as a general effect, I think it always appears -to elevate and make objects seem much taller than they really are. A -man, for instance, seen through it at the distance of a mile and a half -upon the level plain appears to be almost as tall as a date tree. - -Its resemblance to water is complete, and justifies all the metaphors -of poets, and their tales of thirsty and deluded travellers. - -The most singular quality of this vapour is its power of reflection. -When a near observer is a little elevated, as on horseback, he will -see trees and other objects reflected as from the surface of a lake. -The vapour, when seen at a distance of six or seven miles, appears to -lie upon the earth like an opaque mass; and it certainly does not -rise many feet above the ground, for I observed, that while the lower -part of the town of Abusheher was hid from the view, some of the more -elevated buildings, and the tops of a few date trees, were distinctly -visible. - -Among the presents for his majesty of Persia were two light -field-pieces, to which were attached a select detachment of -horse-artillery. Great care was taken to equip this party in the best -style; and as they had a difficult march to perform, they were sent in -advance, under the tall officer who has been already mentioned. Our -third stage to Dalkhee was so rough and stony, that we were alarmed -lest we should hear bad accounts of their progress; but our fears were -all dissipated by the reports of the villagers. - -"Their fathers," they said "had never seen such guns, nor such a young -man as their officer." "Why," said an old Moullah, "I have often seen -our guns; they move only a few yards in an hour, though dragged by a -hundred oxen and a hundred men, and at every step the air resounds with -'Ya Allah! ya Allah!' (O God! O God!) my countrymen being obliged to -invoke Heaven to help them in their heavy work; but your young officer -(who is himself a wonder in size) jumps upon his horse and cries 'tap, -tap,' and away trot the guns like feathers. We all came to look at him -and his guns, and stared till we were tired; and every one expressed -his admiration. As for me, I have commenced a poem upon the party." The -Elchee, who had been laughing, looked grave at this threat of a kesseda -or ode; for he is already overwhelmed with such compositions: every man -in Persia who can make two lines rhyme in praise of the Mission being -anxious to change, so soon as possible, the product of his imagination -into solid piastres. - -All our baggage and camp equipage was carried upon mules; and no -country can boast of finer animals of this description than Persia. -They carry heavy burdens, and travel great distances, at a rate of -better than four miles an hour. They go in strings; and I was amused to -see them, when at the end of the march and unloaded, tied in circles, -going after each other, at their usual pace, till they were cool. - -The Khater-bashee, or master of the mules, is a person of the greatest -importance. This class of men are generally known by the strength of -their frame, and, above all, of their lungs, which are continually -exercised in consigning man and beast to every species of torment and -evil, both in this world and the next. On the first mission to Persia -we had a mule-driver called Hajee Hashem, who, from his strength and -temper, was the terror of caravans. This man, on our second day's -march, anxious to unload his mules, refused to pay any attention to -the injunctions of Peter, the Elchee's steward, and carelessly cast a -box containing glass upon some loose stones, at the hazard of breaking -its contents. Peter, who had been educated on board a man-of-war, and -was a very stout fellow, irritated beyond bearing at this treatment of -his pantry ware, seized Hajee by the waist, and before he had time to -make an effort, cast him over the animal he had so rudely unloaded; and -while the astonished mule-driver lay sprawling, and not yet knowing -whether his bones were broken, Peter, calling his interpreter, a -Persian servant, who had learned a little English at Bombay--"Tell -that fellow," he said, in a voice which showed his rage was only half -expended, "it is lucky for him that his bones are not so brittle as my -glass, of which he will take better care another time." - -Having witnessed this scene, I anticipated a complaint to the Elchee; -but what was my surprise to learn, that Hajee Hashem had petitioned to -be exclusively attached, with his mules, to Peter's department! He was -so; they continued always the best of friends; and no disappointment -could be greater than that of the old Hajee, when he came to furnish -cattle for the second mission, at finding his ally Peter was not of the -party. - -The ground of Hajee Hashem's attachment to his friend may be deemed -extraordinary; but had the master muleteer been a historian, he might -have pleaded high authority in his own country, for valuing another for -superiority in the rough qualities in which he himself excelled. - -The emperor of Constantinople, Mahmood the Fifth, the great rival -of Nadir Shah, desiring to humble the vanity of that conqueror, and -knowing he valued himself more on his superior bodily power and -stentorian voice that on any other qualities selected, as an Envoy to -Persia, a porter, of extraordinary personal strength and most powerful -lungs. - -The Envoy had merely charge of a letter, which he was told to deliver -in person to the king, to require an answer, and return. The fame of -this remarkable diplomatist preceded him; and Nadir was advised not -to receive him, as his deputation was deemed an insult. But curiosity -overcame all other considerations, and he was introduced one day that -there was a very full court. - -When the Turk approached the throne, Nadir, assuming his fiercest look, -and exerting his voice to the utmost, said, "What do you desire of me?" -Almost all started, and the hall vibrated to the sound; but the Envoy, -with an undaunted air, and in a voice of thunder which made Nadir's -appear like the treble of a child, exclaimed, "Take that letter, and -give me an answer, that I may return to my master." - -The court were in amazement; all eyes were turned on Nadir, whose -frowning countenance gradually relaxed into a smile, and, turning to -his courtiers, he said, "After all, the fellow certainly has merit." He -was outdone, but he could not help, like Hajee Hashem, respecting in -another the qualities he valued in himself. - -Nadir is stated to have retorted the intended insult, by saying to the -Envoy, when he gave him leave to depart, "Tell Mahmood I am glad to -find he has one man in his dominions, and has had the good sense to -send him here, that we may be satisfied of the fact." - -FOOTNOTES: - -[17] The Hubara usually weighs from seven to eleven pounds. On its -head is a tuft of black and white feathers; the back of the head and -neck are spotted black; the side of the head and throat are white, -as well as the under part of the body; the breast is slate-coloured; -the feathers of the wing are greenish brown, speckled with black; the -bill of a very dark grey; and on each side of the neck is a large and -handsome tuft of feathers, black and white alternately. - -[18] Faringee, which is a corruption of Frank is the name given to an -European over all Asia. - -[19] Paish Namaz. - - - - -CHAPTER VI. - - Elchee's Lectures--Mehmandar's Journal--Arab - Nurse--Blue-beard--Persian Ceremony--King's Picture. - - -The Elchee, from the moment we landed in Persia, has been lecturing us -on the importance of the conduct of every individual, as connected with -a just impression of the national character. "These Persians," said he -to us one day, "have no knowledge beyond their country; they understand -no language but their own and Arabic; and though all the better classes -read, the books to which they have access afford them little if any -information, except of Asia. Europe, in fact, is only known by name, -and by general and confused accounts of the fame of its nations, and -their comparative greatness. They are, however," he added, "a very -keen and observing people, and full of curiosity. In the absence of -books, they will peruse us, and from what they hear and see, form their -opinion of our country. Let us take care, therefore, that nothing is -found in the page but what is for the honour of England; and believe me -that, with such a people, more depends upon personal impressions than -treaties." - -With these sentiments, every word and act was shaped by him, and, so -far as he could command and influence them, by others, to raise the -English character. It was not enough that we were to give an example of -all kinds of good qualities, but we were to be active and capable of -fatigue, to show the Persians we were soldiers. The Envoy or Elchee, -as they called him, happened to have a robust form, and a passion for -shooting and hunting. It was, therefore, nothing more than an amusement -to him to ride fifty or sixty miles of a morning, that he might surpass -his Mehmandar or entertainer in his own line, but it was far otherwise -to many of his suite. I did not like it; and a near relation of his, -who was rather weak, and, like me, of sedentary habits, used to inveigh -bitterly against these "political rides," as he scoffingly termed -them. There was, however, some sense in the Elchee's proceedings, as I -discovered, when an intimacy with our old Mehmandar, Mahomed Sheriff -Khan, a Burgashattee,[20] led to his showing me a journal he had -written for the information of the court by whom he was deputed, in -order to enable them to judge, by the aid of his observations, what -kind of a person and nation they had to deal with. I shall transcribe -the passage, which was literally as follows:-- - -"The Elchee and the English gentlemen with him, rise at dawn of day; -they mount their horses and ride for two or three hours, when they -come home and breakfast. From that time till four o'clock, when they -dine, the Elchee is either looking at horses, conversing, reading, or -writing; he never lies down, and, if he has nothing else to do, he -walks backwards and forwards before his tent-door, or within it. He -sits but a short time at dinner, mounts his horse again in the evening, -and when returned from his ride, takes tea, after which he converses, -or plays at cards till ten o'clock, when he retires to rest; and next -day pursues nearly the same course. - -"What I chiefly remark is, that neither he nor any of the gentlemen -sleep during the day, nor do they ever, when the weather is warm, -recline upon carpets as we do. They are certainly very restless -persons; but when it is considered that these habits cause their -employing so much more time every day in business, and in acquiring -knowledge, than his Majesty's subjects, it is evident that at the -end of a year they must have some advantage. I can understand, from -what I see, better than I could before, how this extraordinary people -conquered India. My office is very fatiguing, for the Elchee, though -a good-natured man, has no love of quiet, and it is my duty to be -delighted with all he does, and to attend him on all occasions." - -This journal was written upon observations made before we left -Abusheher. The poor old Mehmandar was compelled, soon after we marched, -to slack in his constant attendance; for, as the Elchee's duty and -inclination coincided, he was seldom satisfied with a stage of twenty -or thirty miles, but usually went out in the evening of the same day -to hunt, which, no doubt, made the desired impression, and led the -Persians in his suite to think, if the English, in very sport, so -harassed their friends, what would become of their enemies? - -My friend, Mahomed Sheriff Khan, was, as appears from his journal, a -keen observer. He had the reputation of being a good soldier; but his -distinguishing feature was pride in his condition as the chief of a -tribe, and as representing, in his person, a portion of the authority -of the King of Kings! This pride, however, which often flamed forth in -real or assumed rage, was much regulated in its action by a regard for -his own interests. He was always civil to the Elchee, and those with -him, but to all upon whom his office gave him claims his demeanour was -haughty and overbearing, till soothed by concession or bribes. I met -the Mehmandar one morning, with a man leading a beautiful Arab colt, to -which he pointed, saying, "That old scoundrel, Shaikh Nasser (Governor -of Abusheher), had very nearly deprived me of that animal." "What!" -said I, "could he venture to take him from you?" "No," said he; "the -horse was his; but he had concealed him so carefully that I was near -going away without getting him. I heard of him before I left Shiraz, -and have been on the search ever since I came to Abusheher. I have just -found him, hidden in an inner room, covered with dirt: and then to hear -how the old fool whined about this colt of his favourite Daghee,[21] as -he called him. He meant him, he said, to mount his son, a puny wretch, -who was standing by, entreating me to listen to his father's prayer, -and not to take away their only favourite; to save which, they offered -several useless animals and some money. But I laughed out loud," -concluded Mahomed Sheriff Khan, stroking his grizzly beard, "and said, -they knew little of an old wolf like me, if they thought I was to be -moved by their bleating, or tricked by their cunning. 'Go,' said I to -the old Shaikh, 'and build a boat for that hopeful heir of yours; it -will befit him better than a horse like this, which is only suited for -a son of mine to ride upon.'" - -I soon afterwards saw old Shaikh Nasser moving slowly along, muttering -his usual phrase, "There's no harm done:[22] Persian scoundrels, Arab -fools, all will go to hell together! God is just!--Well, well, there's -no harm done." I spoke to him--he took no notice, but went to his usual -seat to superintend some carpenters, who were building a vessel which -had been on the stocks about seventy years; there his smothered passion -found vent in the most virulent abuse of all his tribe who approached -him. When I spoke to him some time afterwards, he seemed in better -humour. "This ship," said he, pointing to the ribs of the rude vessel, -"will be finished some day or other, and she will hold us all: there is -no harm done." - -Mahomed Sheriff Khan used to laugh at his own habits, which he deemed -less personal than belonging to his condition. One day, when riding -through the streets, he observed me looking significantly at his -Turkuman horse stretching his long neck to seize some greens, which a -man was carrying in a basket on his head--"He has learnt it,"[23] said -my friend, with a smile. - -When I looked on the desert arid plains which lie between Abusheher -and the mountains, and saw the ignorant, half-naked, swarthy men and -women broiling under a burning sun, with hardly any food but dates, my -bosom swelled with pity for their condition, and I felt the dignity -of the human species degraded by their contented looks. "Surely," -said I to Khojah Arratoon, an Armenian (known in the mission by the -name of Blue-beard),[24] "these people cannot be so foolish as to be -happy in this miserable and uninstructed state. They appear a lively, -intelligent race--can they be insensible to their comparatively -wretched condition? Do they not hear of other countries? have they -no envy, no desire for improvement?" The good old Armenian smiled, -and said, "No; they are a very happy race of people, and so far from -envying the condition of others, they pity them. But," added he, seeing -my surprise, "I will give you an anecdote which will explain the ground -of this feeling. - -"Some time since, an Arab woman, an inhabitant of Abusheher, went -to England[25] with the children of a Mr. Beauman. She remained in -your country four years. When she returned, all gathered round her to -gratify their curiosity about England. 'What did you find there? is it -a fine country? are the people rich? are they happy?' She answered, -'The country was like a garden; the people were rich, had fine clothes, -fine houses, fine horses, fine carriages, and were said to be very wise -and happy.' Her audience were filled with envy of the English, and a -gloom spread over them, which showed discontent at their own condition. -They were departing with this sentiment, when the woman happened to -say, 'England certainly wants one thing.' 'What is that?' said the -Arabs eagerly. 'There is not a single date tree in the whole country!' -'Are you sure?' was the general exclamation. 'Positive,' said the old -nurse; 'I looked for nothing else all the time I was there, but I -looked in vain.' This information produced an instantaneous change of -feeling among the Arabs: it was pity, not envy, that now filled their -breasts; and they went away, wondering how men could live in a country -where there were no date trees!" - -This anecdote was told me as I was jogging on the road, alongside -my friend Blue-beard, on our first march from Abusheher. I rode the -remainder of the way (ten good miles) without speaking a word, but -pondering on the seeming contradiction between the wisdom of Providence -and the wisdom of man. I even went so far as to doubt the soundness of -many admirable speeches and some able pamphlets I had read, regarding -the rapid diffusion of knowledge. I changed to a calculating mood, and -began to think it was not quite honest, even admitting it was wise, to -take away what men possessed, of content and happiness, until you could -give them an equal or greater amount of the same articles. - -Before leaving Abusheher we had received many proofs of the favour of -the Prince Regent of Shiraz. Soon after our arrival at that place, -a favourite officer of his guards brought a present of twelve mule -loads of fruit. When this young man came to pay his respects to the -Elchee, Khojah Arratoon desired to withdraw. When asked the reason: -"Why," said he, "the person who is deputed by the Prince is a Georgian, -the son of my next door neighbour in Teflis. When Aga Mahomed Khan -plundered that city, in 1797, he was made a prisoner, with twenty or -thirty thousand young persons of both sexes; and having since been -compelled to become a Mahomedan, and now enjoying high rank, he may be -embarrassed at seeing me." The Envoy said, "It does not signify; you -are my Treasurer, and must be present at the visit of ceremony: depend -upon it he will not notice you." It was as predicted; the bearer of the -present, a very handsome young man, superbly dressed, and of finished -manners, appeared to have no knowledge of Arratoon, though his eye -rested on him once or twice. When the visit was over, the good Armenian -could not contain himself: "The vile Mahomedan wretch!" he exclaimed, -"he has lost sight and feeling, as well as religion and virtue. Have I -given him sweetmeats so often, to be stared at as a stranger? I should -like to know who was his father, that he should look down upon me. It -will be a mournful tale," he concluded, "that I shall have to write to -his mother, who is in great distress, and who, poor deluded creature! -lives in hopes that there is still some good in this dog of a son of -hers." There was a mixture of wounded pride, of disappointment, and -humanity, in Blue-beard's sentiments, that made them at once amusing, -and affecting. - -He came, however, early next morning to the Envoy with a very different -countenance, and evidently deeply affected. "What injustice have I -not done," said he, "to that excellent young man! He sent a secret -messenger to me last night; and when we met, ran to embrace me, and -after telling me the short tale of his captivity, sufferings, and -subsequent advancement, inquired in the most earnest manner after -his mother. He has not only given a hundred tomans to relieve her -immediate wants, but has settled that I am to be the Agent for future -remittances. He informed me that he recognised the friend of his youth, -and never had more difficulty than in the effort to appear a stranger; -but he explained his reasons for being so cautious: he is not only a -Mahomedan, but has married into a respectable family, and is a great -favourite with the Prince, and must, therefore, avoid any conduct -that could bring the least shade of suspicion on the sincerity of his -faith or allegiance. I shall make his mother very happy," continued -Blue-beard, who was evidently quite flattered by the personal attention -of the young Georgian, and the confidence reposed in him; "for I will, -when I send her the tomans, tell her my conviction, that her son, -whatever he may profess, is a Christian in his heart. Indeed he must be -so; for if he had been a true Mahomedan he would have acted like one, -and have disowned, not supported, his mother, whom he must consider an -infidel." - -The Prince Regent of Fars, or Persia Proper, sent, soon after our -arrival at Abusheher, a young nobleman of his own tribe, Hassan Khan -Kajir, to attend the Elchee as Mehmandar. My intimacy, from old -acquaintance, with Jaffier Khan, Governor of Abusheher, led to his -showing me the letter he had received from his brother, the Prince's -vizier, regarding the reception of this personage. It is so good a -specimen of the minute attention the Persians give to forms that I -translated it. Its contents were as follows:-- - -"MY DEAR BROTHER, - -"HASSAN Khan Kajir, who is appointed Mehmandar to General Malcolm, is a -nobleman of the first rank and family. He will keep you informed of his -progress. When he arrives at Dalkhee[26] he will send on this letter, -and write you on the subject of his waiting upon the General, the day -he comes to camp. You will proceed to meet him, with all the garrison -of Abusheher, as far as the date trees on the border of the desert. You -will accompany him to General Malcolm's tent, and, when he leaves it, -you will proceed with him to his own tent, which must be pitched as the -General desires, on the right or left of his encampment. If Hassan Khan -Kajir arrives in the morning, you will stay and breakfast with him; -if in the evening, you will dine with him. Your future attention will -be regulated by your politeness and good sense, and you will always -consider him as a noble guest, who should be entertained in a manner -suitable to his rank and the distinguished situation to which he is -appointed, of Mehmandar to General Malcolm." - -The Mehmandar wrote a letter with this, in which he explained to the -Governor, as modestly as the subject would admit, his own expectations. -The Governor was anxious to know how the Envoy would receive him; and -when told that two officers would meet him at a short distance from the -camp, and that the escort would be drawn up before the tent at which -he alighted to salute him, his mind was at rest, as he was sure such -attention would be gratifying to this sixteenth cousin of Majesty. - -Hassan Khan made his appearance next day, and proved to be a fine -young man, about twenty-six years of age, of excellent manners and -handsome in person, with grey eyes, and a very pleasing expression of -countenance. At this visit he was profuse in professions of the regard -in which the King and Prince held the Elchee, both of whom, he said, -were anxious for the advance of the Mission. - -It is not only in attention to persons, deputed by kings and princes in -Persia, that respect for royalty is shown; it extends to the reception -of letters, dresses, and presents, and every inanimate thing with -which their name is associated. The object is to impart to all ranks -a reverence and awe for the sovereign and those to whom he delegates -power. In short, no means are neglected that can keep alive, or impress -more deeply, the duty of implicit obedience. - -Some time before we landed at Abusheher, the Envoys of Scind had been -at that port on their return from Teheran. They carried, among other -presents to their Prince, a picture of his Majesty, Fatteh Ali Shah. -This painting was carefully packed in a deal box; but the inclosed -image of royalty could not be allowed to pass through his dominions -without receiving marks of respect hardly short of those that would -have been shown to the sovereign himself. - -The Governor and inhabitants of Abusheher went a stage to meet it: they -all made their obeisance at a respectful distance. On its entering the -gates of the city a royal salute was fired; and when the Envoys who -had charge of it embarked, the same ceremonies were repeated, and not -a little offence was taken at the British Resident because he declined -taking a part in this mummery. - -FOOTNOTES: - -[20] Burgashattee is the name of a small Turkish tribe, of which this -old nobleman was chief. - -[21] A celebrated stud-horse of Shaikh Nasser. - -[22] _Aibee na dared_, which is literally translated in the text, was -a phrase used by this old chief on every occasion. - -[23] _Amookhta ast._ - -[24] The nick-name of Blue-beard was given by some of the young men of -our party to our Treasurer, Khojah Arratoon, from that colour being -one day predominant in the dye he had used to ornament his beard. This -excellent man is now no more. - -[25] This story has been told by Sir John Malcolm, in his history, in -illustration of some of his facts or opinions; but he has taken this, -and many other equally good things, from me, without ever acknowledging -them; I shall, therefore, stand on no ceremony when it suits my purpose -to reclaim my property. - -[26] Fifty miles from Bushire. - - - - -CHAPTER VII. - - Mountaineers--Valley of Kazeroon--Virtue of Nitric Acid--Riza Kooli - Khan's loss of Eyes--Extraordinary Birds--Beautiful Valley of - Dusht-e-Arjun--Mahomed Riza Khan Byat--Irish Patriotism--Persian - Squire. - - -Nothing can be more striking than the change from the Gurmaseer, or -hot region, as they term the arid track on the shores of the Persian -Gulf, to the fine climate and rich soil of the elevated plains of -the interior of that country. After travelling fifty-five miles, we -reached the mountains. From the village of Dalkhee, famous for its date -plantations and streams impregnated with naphtha, and which lies at -the foot of the first range, we proceeded by narrow paths, which wound -along the face of the rugged and steep mountain we were ascending. When -near its summit, we were met by the Chiefs of the tribes and villages -in the vicinity. These, with their principal adherents, on horseback, -were drawn up on the crest of the mountain, while their other followers -sprang from rock to rock, firing their matchlocks in honour of the -strangers. Their ragged clothing, their robust forms, their rapid -evolutions (which, though apparently in disorder, were all by signal), -amid precipices, where it seemed dangerous to walk, the reports of -their fire-arms, reverberating from the surrounding hills, gave an -interest to these scenes which a fine writer might dwell on for pages, -but I shall content myself with the fact, that we passed in security -the two great ranges of mountains that intervene between the sea-shore -and the valley of Kazeroon; on entering which, our eyes were not only -cheered by rich fields, but also with wild myrtle, blackberry bushes, -and willows. The latter, shadowing small but clear rivulets, gave me -and others a feeling of home, which he who has not travelled in a far -distant land can never understand. Those of our party who had not been -in Persia before were quite delighted at the change of scene, and began -to give us credit for the roses and nightingales which we promised -them on its still happier plains. What they had seen of the inhabitants -of the mountains we had passed inclined them to believe the marvellous -tales we told of the tribe of Mama Sunee, who boast of having preserved -their name and habits unaltered from the time of Alexander the Great. - -We had good reason, when on the first Mission, to remember this tribe, -who, in conformity to one of their most ancient usages, had plundered -a part of our baggage that was unfortunately left without a guard in -our rear. The loss would have been greater but for a curious incident. -Among the camels left behind was one loaded with bottles containing -nitric acid, which had been furnished in considerable quantities to -us at Bombay. The able physician[27] who discovered its virtues was -solicitous that its efficacy should have a fair trial in Persia; and -it certainly proved a sovereign remedy in an extreme case, but one in -which he had not anticipated its effects. The robbers, after plundering -several camel loads, came to that with the nitric acid. They cast it -from the back of the animal upon the ground. The bottles broke, and -the smoke and smell of their contents so alarmed the ignorant and -superstitious Mama Sunees, that they fled in dismay, fully satisfied -that a pent-up genie of the Faringees had been let loose, and would -take ample vengeance on them for their misdeeds. The truth of this -was proved by the testimonies of the camel drivers, the subsequent -confession of some of the thieves, and the circumstance of several of -the loads which were near the nitric acid being untouched. - -The city of Kazeroon is situated near the ancient Shapoor, with whose -ruins antiquarians are delighted, and whose deserted fields were -equally prized by our sportsmen, from their abounding with game. - -I was myself much amused with a hunt of black partridges[28] at this -place, on which we were accompanied by thirty or forty horsemen. They -scattered themselves over a grassy plain, and the moment a partridge -was flushed, the man nearest it gave a shout, while such as were in -the direction in which it flew rode over the bird, which was hardly -allowed to touch the ground before it was raised again, and hunted as -before. Its flights became shorter; and after three or four, when quite -exhausted, it was picked up by one of the horsemen, several of whom had -little dogs called "scenters," to aid them in finding the partridge -when it took shelter in the long grass or bushes. We caught about -twenty brace of birds the first morning that I partook in this sport. - -Riza Kooli Khan, the Governor of Kazeroon, came to pay the Elchee a -visit. This old nobleman had a silk band over his eye-sockets, having -had his eyes put out during the late contest between the Zend and Kajir -families for the throne of Persia. He began, soon after he was seated, -to relate his misfortunes, and the tears actually came to my eyes at -the thoughts of the old man's sufferings; when judge of my surprise -to find it was to entertain, not to distress us, he was giving the -narration, and that, in spite of the revolting subject, I was compelled -to smile at a tale, which in any country except Persia would have -been deemed a subject for a tragedy: but as poisons may by use become -aliment, so misfortunes, however dreadful, when they are of daily -occurrence, appear like common events of life. But it was the manner -and feelings of the narrator that, in this instance, gave the comic -effect to the tragedy of which he was the hero. - -"I had been too active a partisan," said Riza Kooli Khan, "of the Kajir -family, to expect much mercy when I fell into the hands of the rascally -tribe of Zend. I looked for death, and was rather surprised at the -lenity which only condemned me to lose my eyes. A stout fellow of a -ferash[29] came as executioner of the sentence; he had in his hand a -large blunt knife, which he meant to make his instrument: I offered him -twenty tomans if he would use a penknife I showed him. He refused in -the most brutal manner, called me a merciless villain, asserting that I -had slain his brother, and that he had solicited the present office to -gratify his revenge, adding, his only regret was not being allowed to -put me to death. - -"Seeing," continued Riza Kooli, "that I had no tenderness to look for -from this fellow, I pretended submission, and laid myself on my back; -he seemed quite pleased, tucked up his sleeves, brandished his knife, -and very composedly put one knee on my chest, and was proceeding to -his butchering work, as if I had been a stupid innocent lamb, that was -quite content to let him do what he chose. Observing him, from this -impression, off his guard, I raised one of my feet, and planting it on -the pit of his stomach, sent him heels over head in a way that would -have made you laugh (imitating with his foot the action he described, -and laughing heartily himself at the recollection of it). I sprung up; -so did my enemy; we had a short tussle--but he was the stronger; and -having knocked me down, succeeded in taking out my eyes. - -"The pain at the moment," said the old Khan, "was lessened by the -warmth occasioned by the struggle. The wounds soon healed; and when the -Kajirs obtained the undisputed sovereignty of Persia, I was rewarded -for my suffering in their cause. All my sons have been promoted, and -I am Governor of this town and province. Here I am in affluence, and -enjoying a repose to which men who can see are in this country perfect -strangers. If there is a deficiency of revenue, or any real or alleged -cause for which another Governor would be removed, beaten, or put to -death, the king says, 'Never mind, it is poor blind Riza Kooli; let -him alone:' so you observe, Elchee, that I have no reason to complain, -being in fact better defended from misfortune by the loss of my two -eyes, than I could be by the possession of twenty of the clearest in -Persia:" and he laughed again at this second joke. - -Meerza Aga Meer, the Persian secretary, when commenting upon Riza Kooli -Khan's story, said that his grounds of consolation were substantial; -for that a stronger contrast could not exist between his condition, as -he had described it, and that of others who are employed as Revenue -officers under the present administration of Fars. "I cannot better," -said he, "illustrate this fact than by the witty and bold answer given -a short time since by one of the nobles to the Prince Regent at Shiraz. -The Prince asked of his advisers what punishment was great enough for a -very heinous offender who was brought before him; 'Make him a Collector -of Revenue,' said an old favourite nobleman; 'there can be no crime -for which such an appointment will not soon bring a very sufficient -punishment.'" - -We had an amusing account of an adventure which had occurred at -Kazeroon to two Gentlemen of the Mission, who had been sent some months -before to Shiraz. One of these, a relation of the Elchee, I have before -mentioned as particularly averse to what he deemed unnecessary fatigue -of body. But he and his companion had their curiosity so much raised by -the accounts they received of two strange creatures, that were said to -be in a house at the distance of fifteen miles, that in spite of the -severity of the weather (for it was winter), and the difficulties of -the road, they determined to go and see them. - -In answer to their inquiries, one man said, "These creatures are -very like birds, for they have feathers and two legs; but then their -head is bare and has a fleshy look, and one of them has a long black -beard on its breast." But the chief point on which they dwelt was the -singularity of their voice, which was altogether unlike that of any -other bird they had ever heard of or seen. An old man, who had gone -from Kazeroon to see them, declared it was a guttural sound very like -Arabic, but confessed that though he had listened with great attention, -he had not been able to make out one word they uttered. - -When the party arrived, very fatigued, at the end of their journey, -the inhabitants of the small village where the objects of curiosity -were kept came out to meet them. Being conducted to the house where the -birds were shut up, the door was opened, and out marched--a turkey-cock -and hen! the former, rejoicing in his release from confinement, -immediately commenced his Arabic. The Persians who came from Kazeroon -were lost in astonishment, while our two friends looked at each other -with that expression of countenance which indicates a doubt, between -an inclination to laugh or to be angry; the former feeling however -prevailed. Their merriment surprised the Persians, who, on being -informed of its cause, seemed disappointed to hear that the birds which -appeared so strange to them were very common both in India and England. - -From the account given by the possessor of the turkeys, it appeared -that they had been saved from the wreck of a vessel in the Gulf, and -had gradually come to the part of the interior where they then were. - -From Kazeroon to Dusht-e-Arjun is but a short distance, but the ascent -is great; and pleased as we had been with Kazeroon, we found all nature -with a different aspect in this small but delightful valley, which -is encircled by mountains, down whose rugged sides a hundred rills -contribute their waters to form the lake in its centre. The beauty of -these streams, some of which fall in a succession of cascades from -hills covered with vines; the lake itself, in whose clear bosom is -reflected the image of the mountains by which it is overhung; the -rich fields on its margin; and the roses, hyacinths, and almost every -species of flower that grow in wild luxuriance on its borders, made us -gaze with admiration on this charming scene; while the Persians, who -enjoyed our looks and expressions of delight, kept exclaiming, "Iran -hemeen ast!--Iran hemeen ast!" This is Persia!--This is Persia! - -I was rejoiced on this day's march to meet my old friend Mahomed Riza -Khan Byat, who had come from Shiraz to compliment the Elchee. He -galloped up to me like a boy, calling out "You are welcome." I could -hardly believe my eyes on finding him look younger and brisker than -he did when I left him ten years before, at the age of sixty-eight, -eating, every day, a quantity of opium that was enough, according to -the calculation of our doctor, to poison thirty persons unaccustomed -to that drug. My regard for the old gentleman had led to my taking -no small pains to break him of a habit that I was persuaded would -destroy him; and the doctor, from the same impression, was my zealous -auxiliary. For him my friend inquired the moment he had welcomed -me; when told he was in India, he replied, laughing, "I am sorry he -is not here; I would show him that Christian doctors, though they -can, according to our belief, through the aid and influence of their -Messiah, work miracles, as he did, by curing the blind and the lame, -are not all true prophets. He told me I should die if I did not -diminish my allowance of opium; I have increased it four-fold since he -in his wisdom predicted my demise, and here I am, near fourscore, as -young and as active as any of them:" so saying, he pushed his horse -to speed, and turning his body quite round, according to the habit -of the ancient Parthians with the bow, and the modern Persians with -the matchlock, fired a ball at a mark in the opposite direction to -that in which he was galloping. Riding up to me, he first stroked his -beard, which was too well dyed to discover a single white hair, and -then taking out a box I had given him ten years before, opened it, and -literally cast down his throat a handful of opium pills, repeating, "I -wish my friend the doctor had been here!" - -I rode along with Mahomed Riza the remainder of the march; and, -according to his account, the condition of Persia was greatly improved. -Indeed the internal peace it had enjoyed since the full establishment -of the power of the late king Aga Mahomed Khan, must of itself have -produced that effect; for Nature has been so bountiful to this country -in climate, soil, and in every animal and vegetable production, that -man, spoilt as he is by her indulgence, cannot, without great and -continued efforts, destroy the blessings by which he is surrounded. I -was more pleased at my friend dwelling with a calm and contented mind -on this great change, from a knowledge of his history. His father, -Salah Khan, was one of the chief Omrahs, or Nobles, at the Court of -Nadir Shah when that conqueror was murdered. On that event Kings -started up in every province. Salah Khan among others entered the -lists. He seized upon Shiraz, the fortifications of which he extended -and improved; but his enjoyment of a royal name was short; he was made -prisoner, and put to death by Kerreem Khan. His son, whose character is -marked by the absence of ambition, has passed through life with respect -as the Chief of a tribe, but without enjoying, or perhaps desiring, any -station of consequence. He is of a happy and contented frame of mind, -and speaks of the latter part of his father's life as a brilliant but -troubled dream of power, to which he was very fortunate not to succeed. - -The Prince and great men of Shiraz, on our approaching that city, so -loaded the Elchee with presents of ice-creams, sweetmeats, preserves, -and delicious fruits, that all in camp, down to the keepers of the -dogs, were busied in devouring these luxuries. A lion's share was -always allotted to a party of the 17th dragoons, which forms part -of the escort. I heard these fine fellows, who were all (with the -exception of one man) from Ireland, discussing, as they were eating -their ices, their preserves, their grapes, and nectarines, the merits -of Persia. "It is a jewel of a country," says one. "It would be," said -a second, "if there were more Christians in it." "I don't so much mind -the Christians," observed his companion, "if I could see a bog now and -then, instead of these eternal rocks and valleys, as they call them." -"Fine though it be," concluded corporal Corragan, "I would not give a -potatoe-garden in little Ireland for a dozen of it, and all that it -contains to boot." This patriotic sentiment, which appeared to meet -with general concurrence, closed the discussion. - -The morning we left Dusht-e-Arjun, I rode a short way with an old reis -or squire, who is a proprietor of a considerable part of the valley. -"How happy you are," I said, "in possessing a tract so fertile, so -beautiful, and with such rich verdure." The old man shook his head: -"That verdure you so much admire," said he, "is our ruin; our valley -is the best grazing land in Persia, and the consequence is, princes -and nobles send their mules here to fatten; and while our fields of -grain and our gardens are trampled by these animals, we have to endure -the insolence, and often the oppression, of their servants; and these -fellows in our country (I don't know what they are in yours) are always -ten times worse than their masters." - -FOOTNOTES: - -[27] The late Dr. Helenus Scott. - -[28] The Derraj, or black partridge, takes its name from its breast, -which is of that colour; the rest of its body is very much variegated. -Its throat and legs are red, as also the under parts of its tail; its -head is black, arched with spotted brown and white feathers, and one -spot of white below its eye. This beautiful bird is found in the higher -latitudes of India and in Persia; it is very common on the banks of the -Tigris. - -[29] Ferash is a menial servant employed in a house to keep it clean -and take care of the furniture. He also pitches tents, spreads carpets, -&c. &c. - - - - -CHAPTER VIII. - - Principal Characters of the Mission--Mahomed Hoosein - Khan--Jaffier Ali Khan--Meerza Aga Meer--Mahomed Hoosein--Hajee - Hoosein--Candidates for the Elchee's favour. - - -Before I proceed further on my journey, I must introduce my reader -to some of the principal characters, Indian and Persian, with whom I -associated. These were my companions every where; and I owed much of -the information and amusement I derived on my visit to Persia to their -remarks and communications. No persons could differ more from each -other than my friends. This resulted, in part, from their dispositions, -but more from the opposite scenes in which they had passed their -lives. But a short account of them will best exhibit their respective -characters. - -The first, Mahomed Hoosein Khan, is a person who is attached to the -mission, more as a companion to the Envoy, than in any specific -employment. He is my particular friend, and is one of almost every -party in which I mix; rides with me, talks nonsense with me, besides -cutting jokes, writing epigrams, and telling stories; therefore I must -give a short sketch of him, otherwise he will never be understood. -Khan Sahib, or "my Lord," is the name by which my friend is usually -known, though he has a right, from his inheritance, to the higher -title of Nabob. He is about five feet three inches high; his face, -though plain, has an expression which marks quickness and intelligence, -and the lively turn of his mind has its effect heightened from an -impression of gravity, conveyed by a pair of large spectacles, which, -being short-sighted, he always wears. His frame is not robust, and -his whole appearance indicates the over-care that has been bestowed -upon his childhood, and the enervating pleasures in which his youth, -according to the usage of Mahomedans of quality, has been passed. -He has, however, notwithstanding early habits of luxury, if not of -dissipation, received an excellent education. He is a tolerable Arabic -scholar, and has few superiors in Persian; he writes that language with -the greatest elegance, and is no mean composer, either in prose or -verse. Add to these qualifications a cheerful disposition, an excellent -memory, with a ready wit, and you have my little friend. - -The father of Khan Sahib was a Persian, who went, in early life, to -improve his fortunes in India. He succeeded in recommending himself -to Mr. Duncan at Benares, and, after that gentleman became Governor -of Bombay, he appointed his Persian friend Resident at Abusheher, and -in 1798 sent him on a mission to the court of Persia. This preferment -naturally excited ambitious views: and, among other means by which he -sought to ennoble his family, was the marriage of his eldest son, my -friend, to the daughter of an ex-Prince of the Zend family, who being -in exile, and poor, was glad that his falling star (to use an Asiatic -figure) should come in conjunction with one that he thought was in -the ascendant. But the father died soon after he had grafted his son -on this branch of a decayed tree of royalty, leaving the latter what -he often laughingly calls "The sad inheritance of poverty and rank -combined with a most dignified wife," who, if he is to be believed, not -unfrequently reminds him of her high birth, and is rather wont to dwell -upon her condescension in allying herself to him. "I could," he added, -the other day, "have given her some reasons for that act of prudence, -but it would only have made her worse, and God knows what her violence -might have prompted, so I kept quiet." - -Here Khan Sahib betrayed his foible, which is certainly extreme -prudence. He is in the habit of wearing yellow boots with high heels, -loose red cloth trowsers, which are half displayed by a tunic tucked -up, like that of the most valiant among the horsemen of Persia. His -high lamb's-wool cap has, when he is equipped for a march, the true -military pinch; two small pistols and a dagger are stuck in his girdle, -and to a waistbelt is fastened a powder-flask and a bag of bullets; a -large sabre hangs by an embroidered cross-belt, while a shorter sword, -for close quarters, is fastened to his saddle; to the front of which -is attached a pair of holsters that contain two large horse-pistols. -In spite of all these indications of desperate courage, aided by an -upright and imposing seat on horseback, and sufficient boldness in -galloping to and fro on a smooth plain, there is some want of that -forward valour which depends more upon itself than the arsenal of great -and small arms it carries for its defence. My friend is quite sensible -of this deficiency, and is at times very happy in his allusions to -the fact, and can very wittily philosophise upon the causes.--Want -of stamina--coddled infancy--indulged youth--fear of his father--and -terror of his royal wife, form the principal items in the list. "But," -he is wont to add, "if I have, from a combination of causes, lost that -strength of nerve which constitutes brute courage, I trust I have a -manly spirit, the result of reflection, which, on proper occasions, you -will always see me exert." - -This is, no doubt, the case; but I never happened to be present on any -of these "proper occasions," and I was one of a party, where we were -almost diverted from thinking of danger by his ludicrous behaviour at -its approach. - -The Elchee having particular business when we were lying in Abusheher -Roads, had determined to land; though the sea was rough, and the waves -ran very high on the bar at the mouth of the harbour. The Khan, who -had recently been attached to the Mission, insisted on going, though -advised not: he was very courageous till we came on the bar, where -the waves that chased each other seemed at every moment as if they -would overwhelm our little bark. To each of these, as they rose and -pursued us with their foaming crests, Khan Sahib addressed a rapid -invocation--"Allah, Allah, Allah!" (God, God, God!) and the moment we -were safe from its fury, he, in a still more hurried way, repeated -his gratitude; "Shooker, shooker, shooker!" (thanks, thanks, thanks!) -These invocations and thanksgivings were repeated with great volubility -and wonderful earnestness; Allah, Allah, Allah! and Shooker, shooker, -shooker! continued to sound in our ears for a quarter of an hour; -when "Al hamd ulillah!" (praise be to God!) pronounced in a slow -and composed tone, proclaimed we were in smooth water. I rallied my -friend[30] on the little composure he showed on this occasion; but he -defended himself stoutly, saying, he always prayed twice as much at sea -as on shore. This I believe; but he is on shore even an indifferent -observer of the rites of his religion, and is suspected by some of the -orthodox of our party of being a Sooffee, or philosophical Deist, which -seems to me a general name, that includes all, from the saint who raves -about divine love, to the sinner who scoffs at the rites of the worship -of his country. - -The next personage is Jaffier Ali Khan, brother to the Nabob of -Masulipatam. This Indian Mahomedan is a man high in rank though of -limited income, and has been from boyhood an intimate friend of the -Elchee. Having married into a Persian family, he now resides at Shiraz, -where he has been for some time employed as an agent. Jaffier Ali -is a tolerable English scholar, but writes that language with more -facility than correctness. He was, in his earlier years, extravagant -from love of dissipation, and is now imprudent from irresolution. He -has acquired a good deal of knowledge, but wants firmness of judgment. -The consequence is, that both in conducting his own affairs and those -of others, he becomes the dupe of rogues, with whom such a character is -sure always to be surrounded. Nevertheless, there is such a redeeming -simplicity of manner, and such kindness of heart, about poor Jaffier -Ali, that it is impossible for any one to keep up that indignation -which his folly often produces. "My friend is not the honest man I -thought him," said he one day to me, speaking of a fellow who had duped -him; "I have been more foolish than I could have believed, but I will -take care another time: yet," he added, with a sympathy for his own -weakness, "it is very difficult to deal with these Persians, they are -so pleasing in their speech and manner, and most of all when they have -cheating intentions." - -Mahomed Hoosein, who is also an Indian, has served the Elchee as -Moonshee, or instructor in the Persian language, since the latter was -an ensign of eighteen, and has gradually risen with his master, whose -confidence he enjoys and merits. He is a modest man, speaks little, -but always to the purpose. It is not the habit of the Elchee to bring -any man in his station prominently forward, and this practice appears -exactly to suit the character of the Moonshee, which it has perhaps -formed. He never goes to the Elchee but when he is sent for, and -never stays when not wanted; is pleased with any mark of flattering -attention, but never appears, like others, to make that his object. -With this happy temper, and an honesty that has stood the test of great -temptation for more than twenty years, he passes a comparatively still -life, amidst all the bustle with which he is surrounded. When not busy -writing letters he is employed reading some Persian book, chiefly -works on the theological disputes between the Soonees and the Sheas. -He holds the tenets of the former; and, with all due reverence to Ali, -the nephew and son-in-law of the Prophet, he thinks, with the Turks and -Arabs, that Abubeker, Omar, and Osman, were true men and good Caliphs, -and not as the Persians, in their enthusiasm for Ali, term them, base -caitiffs and vile usurpers. The Moonshee said to me one day, when I -was joking him on his studies, "I do not want to dispute with these -red-headed[31] doctors, but I must fortify myself in my own belief;" -and he added, in a low tone of voice, "How can the faith of men be -right, whose practice is so wrong? Did you ever see or hear such a set -of swaggerers and story-tellers? I rejoice my master has seen so much -of them; he will think better than he has ever yet done of us poor -Indians." - -The next person with whom I must make my readers acquainted is Meerza -Aga Meer; he is a Syed, that is one of the tribe of Mahomed, and enjoys -great respect among his countrymen, from being a lineal descendant of -a holy man, the Ameer Hemza, whose tomb is at Shiraz, and is esteemed -one of the most sacred shrines of that city. Aga Meer is a fine penman, -and an uncommonly good writer of letters, which is his occupation. He -is of mild and unassuming manners, slow in word and action; his even -temper and good sense appear always directed to the object of keeping -himself clear of all taint from the scene of cupidity and intrigue in -which all around him are engaged. The very opposite of the generality -of his countrymen, he endeavours to shun all employment not in his own -line; and, though a great favourite with the Elchee, he takes nothing -on himself, and will, indeed, do nothing without a specific order. -Aga Meer is sometimes ashamed of his countrymen; but he is usually -satisfied with showing his feeling by a shrug of his shoulders, and -sometimes by averting his head, and is evidently disinclined to inform -against or condemn them, when he can avoid such a course without a -breach of duty; but whenever duty is in question, this good and honest -man is firm and temperate in its fulfilment. - -I have before mentioned Khojah Arratoon, the Armenian treasurer. This -sensible and honest man has the characteristic reserve of his tribe, -who, from living in a country where they are subject to oppression, -become, from early habit, most guarded in their words and actions. This -good man is fond of a joke, but he whispers it to you as if it was -a state secret. We call him, as I have stated, Blue-beard, from the -circumstance of this dye being one day predominant in the colour he had -given to this ornament of his face, of the size and form of which he -is, and not without reason, proud. He told me his vanity was once not -a little flattered by the abuse of a Persian, who after exhausting all -other topics, concluded by saying, "And then what business has a dog of -an unbeliever like you with such a beard?" - -The most prominent among the lower servants is old Hajee Hoosein, the -head of the personal attendants; he assumes a superiority over his -fellow-servants on the ground of his having visited foreign countries; -and he boasts that from every one of them he has brought away some -advantage or attainment. He has added to a taste for poetry and the -marvellous (which he tells me was born with him in Persia) a love of -antiquities, acquired at Bagdad--a knowledge of Arab horses, picked up -at Bussorah--skill in traffic in small wares, learnt at Muscat--some -theology, and the holy and useful name of Hajee or Pilgrim, gained by -a visit to the Prophet's Tomb at Mecca; and a small but profitable -acquaintance with the machinery of clocks and watches, obtained by -a short apprenticeship with an eminent horologist at Calcutta. This -travelled and very accomplished person, though he condescends to hand -the Elchee his Kellian, and to distribute coffee to visitors, is in -great request throughout our camp, and with none more than me; and I -am rather flattered by the partiality he shows for my society, owing, -I suspect, to my having early declared my admiration of his various -talents, and in particular of his skill as a watchmaker, on his having -succeeded in making an old watch of mine, that had stopped for a -twelvemonth, go for nearly one whole day. - -The above personages are our principal characters; minor gentlemen will -speak for themselves when they come upon the stage. - -Besides these attached to our camp, we have numbers who, from frequent -visits and dealings, are almost considered as belonging to it. But -our mode of proceeding is now understood, and the Elchee is not -compelled, as he was on his first mission, to guard against attempts of -individuals to establish an exclusive influence. Two of these, made by -very opposite characters, deserve to be recorded. - -The first was a specious young man of some ability, whose name was -Hajee Abd-ool-Hameed, who came from Shiraz with a complimentary -letter from the minister, Cheragh Ali Khan, to whom he had promised -to discover the real object of the mission, while to others he -had professed his intention of making himself the sole medium of -communication and intercourse between the English Representative and -the Persian government. - -He pursued his design with some address; but the Elchee seeing him -linger at Abusheher, and very assiduous in his court, suspected his -motives, and one day plainly asked him whether he had any further -business, or entertained any expectations of employment? Though at -first disconcerted by these direct queries, he confessed he had no -business except that of recommending himself; and he then represented -how impossible it would be to carry on any concerns in Persia without a -qualified native as an agent, stating at the same time that he himself -was exactly the man required. - -The Elchee thanked him for his kind intentions, but informed him that -such assistance was not at that moment necessary. If ever it was, he -assured Abd-ool-Hameed his disinterestedness in coming so far to afford -it, should not be forgotten. The manner more than the substance of this -observation was death to the cherished hopes of the Persian expectant. -Two days afterwards he left the camp and returned to Shiraz, where -he became actively hostile to the mission, considering himself, by a -selfish but common perversion of human reasoning, not merely slighted, -but robbed of all the benefits he had anticipated. - -The rejection of this gentleman's services no doubt prevented many -speculators for favour making the efforts they might have intended. But -we learned from Shiraz, that Aga Ibrahim, a native of Cazveen, who had -been long settled as a merchant at Shiraz, and was a candidate for the -contract for making up tents and other articles wanted for our outfit, -ridiculed Abd-ool-Hameed and his plan, and boasted that he would show -them all the way to win a Faringee Elchee. - -The intelligence of his intentions, which was written by the Moonshee, -Mahomed Hoosein, who had been sent in advance with letters to the -Prince Regent of Fars and the King, made us anxious to see this -formidable personage. When we were a stage from Dusht-e-Arjun, he made -his appearance. He seemed a merry open-hearted fellow, and, according -to his own communications, fond of the good things of this world. He -was not over-scrupulous, he said, as to a glass or two of good liquor, -and he boasted of having been a boon companion to the King, when his -Majesty was Prince Regent at Shiraz, before dread of his uncle, Aga -Mahomed and the Moollahs, made him publicly renounce his wicked ways, -and march round the city to break all the vessels which contained wine, -in order that young and old should be aware of the sincere repentance -of the Heir Apparent of the throne of Persia. - -"I had no uncle with a crown on his head," said Aga Ibrahim. "I care -nothing for priests, and have never yet felt the slightest disposition -to alter my ways, except when the liquor was bad; but I take care," -said he, with a significant nod to the Elchee, "to have it always of -the best." - -This conversation occurred during the day. In the evening, Aga Ibrahim -desired a private interview with the Elchee; and after being some time -with him, he returned to our party evidently disappointed. We soon -discovered the reason: he had caused two loaded camels to be taken to -the Elchee's tent by a back road, and, after a short preamble, had -begged he would accept of both, with their burdens, as a "paish-kesh, -or first-offering." One of the camels was loaded with Russian brandy, -and the panniers which the other carried were (according to his report) -two young and beautiful female Georgian slaves! The liquor and the -ladies had both been politely declined, with many thanks for his -intended kindness. - -Our friend, Aga Ibrahim, was a very different character from -Abd-ool-Hameed. A few glasses of wine which we gave him restored his -spirits. "My plan was a good one," he said, "and would, I thought, have -won the heart of any Faringee. This Elchee must have some deep designs -on Persia, or he could never have resisted such temptations." - -Aga Ibrahim had been a great trafficker in the slaves, male and female, -which the army of Aga Mahomed brought from Georgia in his irruption -into that country in 1797. He had retained one in his own family, of -whom he appeared dotingly fond. The more wine he took, the more he -spoke of his favourite Mariamne. "I have often," said he, "offered to -marry her, if she would only become a Mahomedan, but all in vain; and -really, when she is on her knees praying before her cross, or chanting -hymns to the Virgin Mary, she looks so beautiful, and sings so sweetly, -that I have twenty times been tempted to turn Christian myself. -Besides, I can hardly think of Paradise as delightful without Mariamne!" - -Our jolly good-natured friend went back to Shiraz next day with his -camels, neither out of humour with us nor himself. He had failed, it -was true; but he remained satisfied that it was some mysterious cause, -against which human wisdom could not provide, that had defeated his -excellent scheme for gaining the heart of a Faringee Elchee. - -Aga Ibrahim was consoled for his first disappointment by having a good -share of the employment he desired; and, in all his dealings, he was -found as honest as other Persian merchants. - -FOOTNOTES: - -[30] It is with great regret I state that the witty and accomplished -Khan Sahib, like many others mentioned in these pages, has paid the -debt of nature. He continued in India as in Persia to accompany his -friend the Elchee till 1821, when he fell a victim to the cholera. - -[31] Kezzelbash, or red-headed, is the appellation by which the -Persians are known over Asia. It is said to have arisen from their -wearing red cloth tops to their black lambs'-wool caps. - - - - -CHAPTER IX. - - Importance of Forms--Description of those used at Visits in - Persia--Difficulties on this subject--Happy termination of a Battle - of Ceremonies between the first Mission and the petty Court of - Shiraz--Persian Society--Fables and Apologues. - - -When we arrived at the garden of Shah Cheragh, within a few miles of -the city of Shiraz, a halt was ordered for the purpose of settling the -forms of our reception. These were easily arranged, as the Elchee, -though his military rank, from the period of his first mission to the -present, had advanced from that of Captain to General, claimed only -the same respect and attention he had before insisted upon as the -representative of a great and powerful government. - -Ceremonies and forms have, and merit, consideration in all countries, -but particularly among Asiatic nations. With these the intercourse of -private as well as public life is much regulated by their observance. -From the spirit and decision of a public Envoy upon such points, the -Persians very generally form their opinion of the character of the -country he represents. This fact I had read in books, and all I saw -convinced me of its truth. Fortunately the Elchee had resided at some -of the principal courts of India, whose usages are very similar. He -was, therefore, deeply versed in that important science denominated -"Kaida-e-nishest-oo-berkhast" (or the art of sitting and rising), in -which is included a knowledge of the forms and manners of good society, -and particularly those of Asiatic kings and their courts. - -He was quite aware, on his first arrival in Persia, of the consequence -of every step he took on such delicate points; he was, therefore, -anxious to fight all his battles regarding ceremonies before he came -near the footstool of royalty. We were consequently plagued, from the -moment we landed at Abusheher, till we reached Shiraz, with daily, -almost hourly drilling, that we might be perfect in our demeanour at -all places, and under all circumstances. We were carefully instructed -where to ride in a procession, where to stand or sit within-doors, when -to rise from our seats, how far to advance to meet a visitor, and to -what part of the tent or house we were to follow him when he departed, -if he was of sufficient rank to make us stir a step. - -The regulations of our risings and standings, and movings and -reseatings, were, however, of comparatively less importance than the -time and manner of smoking our Kellians and taking our coffee. It is -quite astonishing how much depends upon coffee and tobacco in Persia. -Men are gratified or offended, according to the mode in which these -favourite refreshments are offered. You welcome a visitor, or send -him off, by the way in which you call for a pipe or a cup of coffee. -Then you mark, in the most minute manner, every shade of attention -and consideration, by the mode in which he is treated. If he be above -you, you present these refreshments yourself, and do not partake till -commanded: if equal, you exchange pipes, and present him with coffee, -taking the next cup yourself: if a little below you, and you wish -to pay him attention, you leave him to smoke his own pipe, but the -servant gives him, according to your condescending nod, the first cup -of coffee: if much inferior, you keep your distance and maintain your -rank, by taking the first cup of coffee yourself, and then directing -the servant, by a wave of the hand, to help the guest. - -When a visitor arrives, the coffee and pipe are called for to welcome -him; a second call for these articles announces that he may depart; -but this part of the ceremony varies according to the relative rank or -intimacy of the parties. - -These matters may appear light to those with whom observances of this -character are habits, not rules; but in this country they are of -primary consideration, a man's importance with himself and with others -depending on them. - -From the hour the first mission reached Persia, servants, merchants, -governors of towns, chiefs, and high public officers, presuming upon -our ignorance, made constant attempts to trespass upon our dignity, -and though repelled at all points, they continued their efforts, till -a battle royal at Shiraz put the question to rest, by establishing our -reputation, as to a just sense of our own pretensions, upon a basis -which was never afterwards shaken. But this memorable event merits a -particular description. - -The first mission arrived at Shiraz on the 13th of June, 1800. The -King of Persia was at this time in Khorassan, and the province of -Fars, of which Shiraz is the capital, was nominally ruled by one of -his sons, called Hoosein Ali Meerza, a boy of twelve years of age. He -was under the tuition of his mother, a clever woman, and a Minister -called Cheragh Ali Khan. With the latter redoubtable personage there -had been many fights upon minor ceremonies, but all were merged in a -consideration of those forms which were to be observed on our visit to -the young Prince. - -According to Persian usage, Hoosein Ali Meerza was seated on a Nemmed, -or thick felt, which was laid on the carpet, and went half across the -upper end of the room in which he received the Mission. Two slips of -felt, lower by two or three inches than that of the Prince, extended -down each side of the apartment. On one of these sat the Ministers and -Nobles of the petty Court, while the other was allotted to the Elchee -and Suite; but according to a written "Destoor-ool-Amal," (or program) -to which a plan of the apartment was annexed, the Elchee was not only -to sit at the top of our slip, but his right thigh was to rest on the -Prince's Nemmed. - -The Elchee, on entering this apartment, saluted the Prince, and then -walked up to his appointed seat; but the master of the ceremonies[32] -pointed to one lower, and on seeing the Elchee took no notice of his -signal, he interposed his person between him and the place stated in -the program. Here he kept his position, fixed as a statue, and in his -turn paid no attention to the Elchee, who waved his hand for him to -go on one side. This was the crisis of the battle. The Elchee looked -to the Minister; but he stood mute, with his hands crossed before his -body, looking down on the carpet. The young Prince, who had hitherto -been as silent and dignified as the others, now requested the Elchee to -be seated; which the latter, making a low bow to him, and looking with -no slight indignation at the Minister, complied with. Coffee and pipes -were handed round; but as soon as that ceremony was over, and before -the second course of refreshments were called for, the Elchee requested -the Prince to give him leave to depart; and, without waiting a reply, -arose and retired. - -The Minister seeing matters were wrong, and being repulsed in an -advance he made to an explanation, sent Mahomed Shereef Khan, the -Mehmandar, to speak to the Elchee; but he was told to return, and tell -Cheragh Ali Khan "That the British Representative would not wait at -Shiraz to receive a second insult. Say to him," he added, "that regard -for the King, who is absent from his dominions, prevented my showing -disrespect to his son, who is a mere child; I therefore seated myself -for a moment; but I have no such consideration for his Minister, who -has shown himself alike ignorant of what is due to the honour of his -sovereign and his country, by breaking his agreement with a foreign -Envoy." - -The Elchee mounted his horse, after delivering this message, which he -did in a loud and indignant tone, and rode away apparently in a great -rage. It was amusing to see the confusion to which his strong sense -of the indignity put upon him threw those, who a moment before were -pluming themselves on the clever manner by which they had compelled -him to seat himself fully two feet lower on the carpet than he had -bargained for. Meerzas and Omrahs came galloping one after another, -praying different persons of his suite to try and pacify him. The -latter shook their heads; but those who solicited them appeared to -indulge hopes, till they heard the orders given for the immediate -movement of the English camp. All was then dismay; message after -message was brought deprecating the Elchee's wrath. He was accused -of giving too much importance to a trifle; it was a mistake of my -lord of the ceremonies; would his disgrace--his punishment--the -bastinado--putting his eyes out--cutting off his head, satisfy or -gratify the offended Elchee?--To all such evasions and propositions -the Envoy returned but one answer:--"Let Cheragh Ali Khan write an -acknowledgment that he has broken his agreement, and that he entreats -my forgiveness: if such a paper is brought me, I remain; if not, I -march from Shiraz." - -Every effort was tried in vain to alter this resolution, and the -Minister, seeing no escape, at last gave way, and sent the required -apology, adding, if ever it reached his Majesty's ear that the Elchee -was offended, no punishment would be deemed too severe for those who -had ruffled his Excellency's temper or hurt his feelings. - -The reply was, the explanation was ample and satisfactory, and that -the Elchee would not for worlds be the cause of injury to the meanest -person in Persia, much less to his dear friend Cheragh Ali Khan; and -a sentence was added to this letter by particular desire of Meerza -Aga Meer, who penned it, stating, "That everything disagreeable was -erased from the tablet of the Elchee's memory, on which nothing was now -written but the golden letters of amity and concord." - -The day after this affair was settled, the Minister paid the Elchee -a long visit, and insisted upon his going again to see the Prince. -We went--but what a difference in our reception: all parties were -attentive; the master of the ceremonies bent almost to the ground; -and though the Elchee only desired to take his appointed seat, that -would neither satisfy the Prince nor the Minister, who insisted -that, instead of his placing one thigh on the Nemmed, which was -before unapproachable, he should sit altogether on its edge! This -was "miherbanee, ser-afrazee," (favour, exaltation), and we were all -favoured and exalted. - -Such is the history of this battle of ceremony, which was the only one -of any consequence there was occasion to fight in Persia; for in wars -of this kind, as in other wars, if you once establish your fame for -skill and courage, victory follows as a matter of course. - -It must not be supposed from what has been stated, that the Persians -are all grave formal persons. They are the most cheerful people in -the world; and they delight in familiar conversation; and every -sort of recreation appears, like that of children, increased by -those occasional restraints to which their customs condemn them. -They contrive every means to add to the pleasures of their social -hours; and as far as society can be agreeable, divested of its chief -ornament, females, it is to be met with in this country. Princes, -chiefs, and officers of state, while they pride themselves, and with -justice, on their superior manners, use their utmost efforts to make -themselves pleasant companions. Poets, historians, astrologers, wits, -and reciters of stories and fables, who have acquired eminence, are -not only admitted into the first circles, but honoured. It is not -uncommon to see a nobleman of high rank give precedence to a man of -wit or of letters, who is expected to amuse or instruct the company; -and the latter, confident in those acquirements to which he owes his -distinction, shows, by his manner and observations, that usage has -given him a right to the place he occupies. - -I heard, before I mixed in it, very different accounts of Persian -society. With one class of persons it was an infliction, to another -a delight. I soon found that its enjoyment depended upon a certain -preparation; and from the moment I landed in the country, I devoted a -portion of my time to their most popular works in verse and prose. I -made translations, not only of history and poetry, but of fables and -tales, being satisfied that this occupation, while it improved me in -the knowledge of the language, gave me a better idea of the manners -and mode of thinking of this people than I could derive from any other -source. Besides, it is a species of literature with which almost every -man in Persia is acquainted; and allusions to works of fancy and -fiction are so common in conversation, that you can never enjoy their -society if ignorant of such familiar topics. - -I have formerly alluded to the cause which leads all ranks in Persia to -blend fables and apologues in their discourse, but this subject merits -a more particular notice. There has been a serious and protracted -discussion among the learned in Europe as to the original country of -those tales which have delighted and continue to delight successive -generations. One or two facts connected with this abstruse question -are admitted by all.--First, that the said tales are not the native -produce of our western clime. They are decidedly exotics, though we -have improved upon the original stock by careful culture, by grafting, -and other expedients, so as to render them more suited to the soil into -which they have been transplanted. - -The next admission is, that some of our best fables and tales came with -the Sun from the East, that genial clime, where nature pours forth -her stores with so liberal a hand that she spoils by her indulgence -those on whom she bestows her choicest gifts. In that favoured land -the imagination of authors grows and flourishes, like their own -evergreens, in unpruned luxuriance. This exuberance is condemned by the -fastidious critics of the West. As for myself, though an admirer of -art, I like to contemplate Nature in all her forms; and it is amidst -her varied scenes that I have observed how much man takes his shape -and pursuits from the character of the land in which he is born. Our -admirable and philosophic poet, after asserting the command which the -uncircumscribed soul, when it chooses to exert itself, has over both -the frigid and torrid zones, beautifully and truly adds-- - - "Not but the human fabric from its birth - Imbibes a flavour of its parent earth; - As various tracts enforce a various toil, - The manners speak the idiom of the soil." - -The warmth of the climate of the East, the ever-teeming abundance of -the earth, while it fosters lively imaginations and strong passions, -disposes the frame to the enjoyment of that luxurious ease which is -adverse to freedom. That noblest of all plants which ever flourished -on earth has, from the creation to the present day, been unknown in -the East. This being the case, the fathers of families, the chiefs of -tribes, and the sovereigns of kingdoms, are, within their separate -circles, alike despotic; their children, followers, and subjects are -consequently compelled to address these dreaded superiors in apologues, -parables, fables, and tales, lest the plain truth, spoken in plain -language, should offend; and the person who made a complaint or offered -advice should receive the bastinado, or have his head struck off on -the first impulse of passion, and before his mighty master had time to -reflect on the reasonableness of such prompt punishment. - -To avoid such unpleasant results, every bird that flies, every beast -that walks, and even fish that swim, have received the gift of speech, -and have been made to represent kings, queens, ministers, courtiers, -soldiers, wise men, foolish men, old women, and little children, in -order, as a Persian author says, "That the ear of authority may be -safely approached by the tongue of wisdom." - -There is another reason why tales and fables continue so popular in -the East; we observe how pleasing and useful they are as a medium of -conveying instruction in childhood: a great proportion of the men -and women of the countries of which we speak are, in point of general -knowledge, but children; and while they learn, through allegories and -apologues, interspersed with maxims, to appreciate the merits of their -superiors, the latter are, in their turn, taught by the same means -lessons of humanity, generosity, and justice. - -"Have you no laws," said I one day to Aga Meer, "but the Koran, and the -traditions upon that volume?" "We have," said he, gravely, "the maxims -of Sadee." Were I to judge from my own observations, I should say, that -these stories and maxims, which are known to all, from the king to the -peasant, have fully as great an effect, in restraining the arbitrary -and unjust exercise of power as the laws of the Prophet. - -It is through allegories and fables that we receive the earliest -accounts we have of all nations, but particularly those of the Eastern -hemisphere. We may, in these days in which exactness is so much valued, -deplore this medium as liable to mislead; but must recollect, that if -we had not their ancient records in this form we should have them in -none. One of the wisest men in the West, Francis Bacon, has truly said, -"Fiction gives to mankind what history denies, and in some measure -satisfies the mind with shadows when it cannot enjoy the substance." - -Those who rank highest amongst the Eastern nations for genius have -employed their talents in works of fiction; and they have added to the -moral lessons they desired to convey so much of grace and ornament, -that their volumes have found currency in every nation of the world. -The great influx of them into Europe may be dated from the crusades; -and if that quarter of the globe derived no other benefits from these -holy wars, the enthusiastic admirers of such narrations may consider -the tales of Boccaccio and similar works as sufficient to compensate -all the blood and treasure expended in that memorable contest! - -England has benefited largely from these tales of the East. Amongst -other boons from that land of imagination, we have the groundwork on -which Shakspeare has founded his inimitable play of the Merchant of -Venice. - -The story of the Mahomedan and the Jew has been found in several books -of Eastern Tales. In one Persian version love is made to mix with -avarice in the breast of the Israelite, who had cast the eye of desire -upon the wife of the Mahomedan, and expected, when he came to exact his -bond, the lady would make any sacrifice to save her husband. - -At the close of this tale, when the parties come before the judge, the -Jew puts forth his claim to the forfeited security of a pound of flesh. -"How answerest thou?" said the judge, turning to the Mahomedan. "It -is so," replied the latter; "the money is due by me, but I am unable -to pay it." "Then," continued the judge, "since thou hast failed in -payment, thou must give the pledge; go, bring a sharp knife." When -that was brought, the judge turned to the Jew, and said, "Arise, and -separate one pound of flesh from his body, so that there be not a grain -more or less; for if there is, the governor shall be informed, and thou -shalt be put to death." "I cannot," said the Jew, "cut off one pound -exactly; there will be a little more or less." But the judge persisted -that it should be the precise weight. On this the Jew said he would -give up his claim and depart. This was not allowed, and the Jew being -compelled to take his bond with all its hazards, or pay a fine for a -vexatious prosecution, he preferred the latter, and returned home a -disappointed usurer. - -Admitting that the inhabitants of Europe received these tales and -apologues from the Saracens, the next question is, where did they get -them? Mahomed and his immediate successors, while they proscribed all -such false and wicked lies and inventions, accuse the Persians of -being the possessors and propagators of those delusive tales, which -were, according to them, preferred by many of their followers to the -Koran. But in the course of time Caliphs became less rigid. The taste -for poetry and fiction revived, and Persian stories and Arabian tales -deluged the land. - -For some centuries the above countries were the supposed sources of -this branch of literature, but, since the sacred language of the Hindus -has become more generally known, the Persians are discovered to have -been not only the plunderers of their real goods and chattels, but -also of their works of imagination. These we, in our ignorance, long -believed to belong to the nations from whom we obtained them; but now -that Orientalists abound, who are deeply read in Sanscrit, Pracrit, -Marhatta, Guzerattee, Canarese, Syamese, Chinese, Talingana, Tamil, -and a hundred other languages, unknown to our ignorant ancestors, the -said Persians and Arabians have been tried and convicted, not only of -robbing the poor Hindus of their tales and fables, but of an attempt -to disguise their plagiarisms, by the alteration of names, and by -introducing, in place of the gods and goddesses of the Hindu Pantheon, -the magi, and all the spirits of the Heaven and the Earth, which -peculiarly belong to the followers of Zoroaster. - -Nothing, however, can impose upon the present enlightened age, and our -antiquaries have long been and are still occupied in detecting thefts -committed twenty centuries ago. In spite of the Persian and Arabian -cloaks in which tales and fables have been enveloped, the trace of -their Hindu origin has been discovered in the various customs and -usages referred to, and it has been decided that almost all the ancient -tales are taken from the Hitopadesa, and that still more famous work, -the Pancha-Tantra, or more properly the Panchopakhyan, or Five Tales; -while many of the more modern are stolen from the Katha-Sarit-Sagar, or -Ocean of the Stream of Narration, a well-known work, which was compiled -about the middle of the twelfth century by order of that equally -well-known Prince Sree Hertha of Cashmere! - -I have sometimes had doubts whether it was quite fair to rake up the -ashes of the long-departed Pehlevee writers; more particularly as there -does not now exist one solitary book in their language which we could -compare with the Hindu MSS., of which we have lately become enamoured; -but reverence for the learning of those who have decided this question, -and dread of their hard words, with the very spelling of which I am -always puzzled, has kept me silent. As I am, however, rather partial to -my Persian friends, I must vindicate them from this general charge of -robbery and fraud. They certainly acquired one of their most celebrated -works of imagination from India, under circumstances that do equal -honour to the just king Noosheerwan, his wise minister Boozoorchimihr, -and the learned doctor Barzooyeh. - -The work to which I refer is the Kartaka-Damnaka of the Brahmins, the -Kalila-wa-Damna of the Arabians, and the Fables of Pilpay of Europe. -This book, originally written in the Sanscrit, was first translated -into Pehlevee, from that into Arabic, and next into Persian. So many -learned Oriental critics, French and English, have given the names and -dates of the translations, that I shall not repeat them, but give a -short account of the first introduction of these famous fables into -Persia, with some facts of the life and opinions of the wise and -disinterested man through whose efforts his native country became -possessed of this treasure. - -Noosheerwan, deservedly styled the Just, who governed Persia in the -beginning of the seventh century, hearing of the fame of a work which -a Brahmin of Ceylon had composed, employed the celebrated physician -named Barzooyeh to obtain for him a copy of this production. This was a -delicate and hazardous enterprise, for the work, ever since the reign -of a certain Indian King, named Dabshileem, for whom it was written, -had been guarded with great care and jealousy, lest the profane should -learn the wisdom that ought only to appertain to the wise and holy. - -Barzooyeh, confident in knowledge and strong in allegiance, undertook -to fulfil the commands of his Sovereign. He proceeded towards India, -furnished with money and every thing that could forward the objects -of his journey. When he arrived at the Indian capital, he pretended -that the motive which induced him to visit it was the improvement of -his mind, by communication with the wise men for which it was at that -period renowned. Amongst those whose society he courted, he early -discovered one Brahmin, who appeared to him the very model of wisdom. -His efforts were directed to gain his friendship, and believing he had -succeeded, he resolved to intrust him with his real design. - -"I have a secret to confide to you," said he, one day to his friend: -"and you know, 'a sign to the wise is enough.'" "I know what you mean," -said the penetrating Brahmin, "without your sign; you came to rob us of -our knowledge, that you might with it enrich Persia. Your purpose is -deceit; but you have conducted yourself with such consummate address -and ability that I cannot help entertaining a regard for you. I have," -continued the Indian, "observed in you the eight qualities which must -combine to form a perfect man: forbearance, self-knowledge, true -allegiance, judgment in placing confidence, secrecy, power to obtain -respect at court, self-command, and a reserve, both as to speech in -general society and intermeddling with the affairs of others. Now you -have those qualities, and though your object in seeking my friendship -is not pure but interested, nevertheless I have such an esteem for you -that I will incur all hazards to forward your object of stealing our -wisdom." - -The Brahmin obtained the far-sought book, and by his aid and connivance -a copy was soon completed. Noosheerwan, who had been informed of the -success of his literary envoy, was impatient for his return; and when -he arrived at the frontier, he was met by some of the most favoured -courtiers sent by the monarch to conduct him to the capital. He was -welcomed with joy, particularly by Noosheerwan; a great court was held, -at which all who were dignified or learned in the kingdom were present. -Barzooyeh was commanded to read from the volume he had brought: he did -so; and the admiration of its contents was universal. - -"Open my treasury!" said the grateful Noosheerwan; "and let the man who -has conferred such a benefit on his country enter, and take what he -finds most valuable." "I desire neither jewels nor precious metals," -said Barzooyeh; "I have laboured not for them but for the favour of my -Sovereign; and that I have succeeded is rather to be referred to his -auspices, than to my humble efforts. But I have," said he, "a request -to make: the King has directed his able minister, Boozoorchimihr, -to translate this work into Pehlevee; let him be further instructed -that mention be made of me in some part of the book, and that he -particularly specify my family, my profession, and my faith. Let all -this be written, so that my name may go down to future ages, and the -fame of my Sovereign be spread throughout the world." - -The King was delighted with this further proof of the elevated mind -of Barzooyeh; all present applauded his perfect wisdom, and joined in -supplicating that his request might be granted. - -Noosheerwan, addressing the assembly, said--"You have witnessed -the noble disinterestedness of this man, you know how faithfully -he has discharged his duty, and what difficulties and dangers he -has encountered and overcome in my service. I desired to enrich him -with jewels and money, but such rewards have no value in his mind, -his generous heart is above them; he has only asked that his name -shall have a separate mention, and that his life up to this date -shall be faithfully written. Let it," said the Monarch, turning to -Boozoorchimihr, "have a place at the very commencement of that book of -wisdom which he has procured for his country." - -The above is the substance of the story, as given in the Persian -translation of this work, made by Aboo'l-Fazl, and called -Eiyar-e-Danish, or the Touchstone of Wisdom; and we have in the same -volume some particulars of the religious tenets, or rather doubts, of -the philosophic Barzooyeh, which merit a short mention. - -The wise doctor, who is made to speak in his own person, expresses -himself to this effect:--"The questions regarding the attributes of the -Creator, and the nature of futurity, have been sources of never-ending -doubt and discussion. Every one deems his own opinions regarding these -important subjects as the only true ones, and his life is wasted in -efforts to raise his own sect and to disparage others; but how many of -these persons are mere self-worshippers, in whom there is not a trace -of real religion, or of the knowledge of God! - -"How deeply do I regret that time which I myself lost in pursuit of -these vain imaginations, searching every path, but never finding the -true way, and never even discovering a guide. I have consulted the wise -and learned of all religions as to the origin of that faith in which -they believed; but I have found them only busied with propping up their -own notions, and trying to overset those of others. - -"At last, finding no medicine for the sickness of my heart, and no balm -for the wounds of my soul, I came to a conclusion, that the foundation -of all these sects was self-conceit. I had heard nothing that a wise -man could approve; and I thought that if I gave my faith to their -creed, I should be as foolish as the poor thief who, by an unmeaning -word, was deluded to his destruction. - -"Some thieves mounted to the top of a rich man's house; but he, hearing -their footsteps, and guessing their object, waked his wife, to whom he -whispered what had occurred. 'I shall feign sleep,' said he to her; 'do -you pretend to awake me, and commence a conversation, in a tone loud -enough to be heard by the thieves. Demand of me with great earnestness -how I amassed my wealth; and, notwithstanding my refusal, urge me to -a confession.' - -"The woman did as she was desired, but the husband replied, 'Do forbear -such questions; perhaps if I give you true answers somebody may hear, -and I may be exposed to disagreeable consequences.' - -"This denial to gratify her curiosity only made the lady more earnestly -repeat her interrogatories. Apparently wearied with her importunities, -the husband said, 'If I comply with your wishes, it will be contrary to -the maxim of the wise, who have said, 'Never tell a secret to a woman.'" - -"'Who,' said the irritated lady, 'do you take me for? Am not I the -cherished wife of your bosom?' 'Well, well,' said the man, 'be patient, -for God's sake; as you are my true and confidential friend, I suppose -I must tell you all; but never reveal to any one what you shall now -hear.' She made a thousand protestations that his secret should never -pass her lips. The husband appearing quite satisfied, proceeded to -state as follows: - -"'Learn, my dear wife, that all my wealth is plunder. I was possessed -of a mysterious charm, by which, when standing on moonlight nights -near the walls of the houses of the rich, I could, by repeating the -word Sholim, Sholim, Sholim, seven times, and at the same time laying -my hand on a moonbeam, vault on the terrace; when there, I again -exclaimed, Sholim, Sholim, Sholim, seven times, and with the utmost -ease jumped down into the house, and again pronouncing Sholim, Sholim, -Sholim, seven times, all the riches in the house were brought to my -view. I took what I liked best, and for the last time calling out -Sholim, Sholim, Sholim, I sprung through the window with my booty; -and through the blessing of this charm, I was not only invisible, but -preserved from even the suspicion of guilt. - -"'This is the mode in which I have accumulated that great wealth with -which you are surrounded. But beware and reveal not this secret; let no -mortal know it, or the consequences may be fatal to us all.' - -"The robbers, who had anxiously listened to this conversation, -treasured up with delight the magic words. Some time afterwards the -leader of the band, believing all in the house asleep, and having got -upon the window, called out Sholim, Sholim, Sholim, seven times, -and springing forward fell headlong into the room. The master of the -dwelling, who was awake, expecting this result, instantly seized the -fellow, and began to soften[33] his shoulders with a cudgel, saying, -'Have I all my life been plaguing mankind in acquiring wealth just to -enable a fellow like you to tie it up in a bundle and carry it away; -but now tell me who you are?' The thief replied, 'I am that senseless -blockhead that a breath of yours has consigned to dust. The proverb,' -said the wretched man, 'is completely verified in my fate; I have -spread my carpet for prayer on the surface of the waters.' But the -measure of my misfortune is full; I have only one request to make, that -you now put a handful of earth over me.' - -"In fine," adds Barzooyeh, "I came to the conclusion, that if, without -better proof than delusive words, I were to follow any of the modes of -faith which I have described, my final condition would be no better -than that of the fool in this tale, who trusted to Sholim, Sholim, -Sholim. - -"I said therefore to my soul, if I run once more after these pursuits, -a life would not be sufficient; my end approaches, and if I continue -in the maze of worldly concerns I shall lose that opportunity I now -possess, and be unprepared for the great journey which awaits me. - -"As my desire was righteous, and my search after truth honest, my mind -was favoured with the conviction that it was better to devote myself to -those actions which all faiths approve, and which all who are wise and -good applaud. - -"By the blessing of God, after I was released from such a state of -distraction, I commenced my efforts; I endeavoured to the utmost of my -power to do good, and to cease from causing pain to animals, or injury -to men." - -The wise physician adds in this passage a list of all the virtues after -which he sought, and all the vices he shunned. This list is long, and -appears to me to include the whole catalogue of human virtues and -vices. Suffice it here to say, that his biographer assures us that -his latter end was blessed, and that he left behind him a name as -celebrated for virtue as it was for wisdom. - -FOOTNOTES: - -[32] Ashkakas Bashee. - -[33] This is a literal translation. - - - - -CHAPTER X. - -Fable of the Two Cats--Preamble to Persian Treaty--Apologues from -Sadee---Letter from Nizam-ool-Moolk to Mahomed Shah--Death of Yezdijird. - - -The preceding chapter concluded with an episode upon the life and -opinions of the favoured physician of Noosheerwan. I must in this -return to my subject, the elucidation of the rise and progress of -apologues and fables. - -It will be admitted by all, that the Persians, in the luxuriance of -their imaginations, have embellished wonderfully the less artificial -writings of the Hindus. The lowest animal they introduce into a -fable speaks a language which would do honour to a king. All nature -contributes to adorn the metaphorical sentence; but their perfection -in that part of composition called the Ibaret-e-Rengeen, or Florid -Style, can only be shown by example, and for that purpose I have made -a literal translation of the fable of the "Two Cats;" from which I -suspect we have borrowed ours, of the "Town and Country Mouse." - -"In former days there was an old woman, who lived in a hut more -confined than the minds of the ignorant, and more dark than the -tombs of misers. Her companion was a cat, from the mirror of whose -imagination the appearance of bread had never been reflected, nor had -she from friends or strangers ever heard its name. It was enough that -she now and then scented a mouse, or observed the print of its feet on -the floor; when, blessed by favouring stars, or benignant fortune, one -fell into her claws, - - 'She became like a beggar who discovers a treasure of gold; - Her cheeks glowed with rapture, and past grief was consumed - by present joy.'[34] - -This feast would last for a week or more; and while enjoying it she was -wont to exclaim-- - - 'Am I, O God! when I contemplate this, in a dream or awake? - Am I to experience such prosperity after such adversity?' - -"But as the dwelling of the old woman was in general the mansion of -famine to this cat, she was always complaining, and forming extravagant -and fanciful schemes. One day, when reduced to extreme weakness, she -with much exertion reached the top of the hut; when there, she observed -a cat stalking on the wall of a neighbour's house, which, like a fierce -tiger, advanced with measured steps, and was so loaded with flesh that -she could hardly raise her feet. The old woman's friend was amazed to -see one of her own species so fat and sleek, and broke out into the -following exclamation: - - 'Your stately strides have brought you here at last; - pray tell me from whence you come? - From whence have you arrived with so lovely an appearance? - You look as if from the banquet of the Khan of Khatai. - Where have you acquired such a comeliness? - and how came you by that glorious strength?' - -The other answered, 'I am the Sultan's crum-eater. Each morning, -when they spread the convivial table, I attend at the palace, and -there exhibit my address and courage. From among the rich meats and -wheat-cakes I cull a few choice morsels; I then retire and pass my time -till next day in delightful indolence.' - -"The old dame's cat requested to know what rich meat was, and what -taste wheat-cakes had? 'As for me,' she added, in a melancholy tone, -'during my life, I have neither eat nor seen any thing but the old -woman's gruel and the flesh of mice.' The other, smiling, said, 'This -accounts for the difficulty I find in distinguishing you from a spider. -Your shape and stature is such as must make the whole generation of -cats blush; and we must ever feel ashamed while you carry so miserable -an appearance abroad. - - 'You certainly have the ears and tail of a cat, - But in other respects you are a complete spider.' - -Were you to see the Sultan's palace, and to smell his delicious -viands, most undoubtedly those withered bones would be restored; you -would receive new life; you would come from behind the curtain of -invisibility into the plain of observation: - - 'When the perfume of his beloved passes over the tomb of a lover, - Is it wonderful that his putrid bones should be re-animated?' - -"The old woman's cat addressed the other in the most supplicating -manner: 'Oh, my sister!' she exclaimed, 'have I not the sacred claims -of a neighbour upon you; are we not linked in the ties of kindred? what -prevents your giving a proof of friendship, by taking me with you when -next you visit the palace? Perhaps from your favour plenty may flow to -me, and from your patronage I may attain dignity and honour. - - 'Withdraw not from the friendship of the honourable; - Abandon not the support of the elect.' - -"The heart of the sultan's crum-eater was melted by this pathetic -address; she promised her new friend should accompany her on the next -visit to the palace. The latter overjoyed went down immediately from -the terrace, and communicated every particular to the old woman, who -addressed her with the following counsel: - -"'Be not deceived, my dearest friend, with the worldly language you -have listened to; abandon not your corner of content, for the cup of -the covetous is only to be filled by the dust of the grave; and the eye -of cupidity and hope can only be closed by the needle of mortality and -the thread of fate. - - 'It is content that makes men rich; - Mark this, ye avaricious, who traverse the world: - He neither knows nor pays adoration to his God, - Who is dissatisfied with his condition and fortune.' - -But the expected feast had taken such possession of poor puss's -imagination that the medicinal counsel of the old woman was thrown away. - - 'The good advice of all the world is like wind in a cage, - Or water in a sieve, when bestowed on the headstrong.' - -"To conclude, next day, accompanied by her companion, the half-starved -cat hobbled to the Sultan's palace. Before this unfortunate wretch -came, as it is decreed that the covetous shall be disappointed, an -extraordinary event had occurred, and, owing to her evil destiny, -the water of disappointment was poured on the flame of her immature -ambition. The case was this; a whole legion of cats had, the day -before, surrounded the feast, and made so much noise, that they -disturbed the guests, and in consequence the Sultan had ordered that -some archers, armed with bows from Tartary, should, on this day, be -concealed, and that whatever cat advanced into the field of valour, -covered with the shield of audacity, should, on eating the first -morsel, be overtaken with their arrows. The old dame's puss was not -aware of this order. The moment the flavour of the viands reached her, -she flew, like an eagle to the place of her prey. - -"Scarcely had the weight of a mouthful been placed in the scale to -balance her hunger, when a heart-dividing arrow pierced her breast. - - 'A stream of blood rushed from the wound. - She fled, in dread of death, after having exclaimed, - Should I escape from this terrific archer, - I will be satisfied with my mouse and the miserable hut - of my old mistress. - My soul rejects the honey if accompanied by the sting. - Content, with the most frugal fare, is preferable.'" - -This fable is a fair specimen of the style of such compositions; but it -is in the deebachehs, or introductions to letters or books, that "The -fiery steed of the two-tongued pen" (meaning a split reed) is allowed -to run wild amidst the rich pasture of the verdant field of imagination. - -A better proof of the latitude taken on such occasions cannot be given -than in the preamble to the treaty concluded by the Elchee on his first -mission to Persia, of which the following is a literal translation:-- -"After the voice is raised to the praise and glory of the God of the -world, and the brain is perfumed with the scent of the saints and -prophets, to whom be health and glory; whose rare perfections are -perpetually chanted by birds[35] of melodious notes, furnished with -two, three, and four pairs of wings; and to the Highest, seated in the -heavens, for whom good has been predestinated; and the perfume mixed -with musk, which scenteth the celestial mansions of those that sing -hymns in the ethereal sphere, and to the light of the flame of the Most -High, which gives radiant splendour to the collected view of those who -dwell in the heavenly regions; the clear meaning of the treaty, which -has been established on a solid basis, is fully explained on this -page; and as it is fixed as a principle of law, that, in this world of -existence and trouble, in this universe of creation and concord, there -is no action among those of mankind which tends more to the perfection -of the human race, or to answer the end of their being and existence, -than that of cementing friendship, and of establishing intercourse, -communication, and connexion betwixt each other. The image reflected -from the mirror of accomplishment is a tree fruitful and abundant, -and one that produces good both now and hereafter. To illustrate the -allusions that it has been proper to make, and explain these metaphors, -worthy of exposition at this happy period of auspicious aspect, a -treaty has been concluded between the high in dignity, the exalted in -station, attended by fortune, of great and splendid power, the greatest -among the high viziers in whom confidence is placed, the faithful of -the powerful government, the adorned with greatness, power, glory, -splendour, and fortune, Hajee Ibrahim Khan; on being granted leave, and -vested with authority from the porte of the high king, whose court is -like that of Solomon; the asylum of the world; the sign of the power -of God; the jewel in the ring of kings; the ornament in the cheek of -eternal empire; the grace of the beauty of sovereignty and royalty; -the king of the universe, like Caherman; the mansion of mercy and -justice; the phoenix of good fortune; the eminence of never-fading -prosperity; the king powerful as Alexander, who has no equal among the -princes, exalted to majesty by the Heavens on this globe; a shade from -the shade of the Most High; a Khoosroo, whose saddle is the moon, and -whose stirrup is the new moon; a prince of great rank, before whom the -sun is concealed. * * * * * * * And the high in dignity; the great -and mighty in power; the ornament of those acquainted with manners -******; delegated from the sublime quarter of the high in power seated -on a throne; the asylum of the world; the chief jewel in the crown -of royalty and sovereignty; the anchor of the vessel of victory and -fortune; the ship on the sea of glory and empire; the blazing sun in -the sky of greatness and glory; lord of the countries of England and -India; may God strengthen his territories, and establish his glory and -command upon the seas, in the manner explained in his credentials! -which are sealed with the seal of the most powerful, and most glorious, -possessing fortune, the origin of rank, splendour, and nobility; the -ornament of the world; the accomplisher of the works of mankind; the -Governor-General of India!" - -This preamble is not less remarkable for its flowery diction than for -the art by which it saves the dignity of the king of Persia from the -appearance of treating with any one below the rank of a monarch. It is -also curious to observe, that after introducing the king of England, -how skilfully he is limited to an undisputed sovereignty of the seas, -that his power may not clash with that of the mighty Khoosroo of the -day, "whose saddle is the moon, and whose stirrup is the new moon," in -his dominion over the earth! - -Speaking on the above subjects to Aga Meer, I asked him if their -monarchs were as much delighted with this hyperbolical style as the -Meerzas or Secretaries. "Not at all," said he: "the late king, Aga -Mahomed, who was remarkable for his hatred of ornament and show -in every form, when his secretaries began with their flattering -introductions, used to lose all temper, and exclaim, 'To the contents, -you scoundrel.'"[36] "Flowery introductions," said the Meer, "if he -had lived long enough, would have gone out of fashion; but the present -king prides himself upon being a fine writer, both in prose and verse, -and the consequence is, as you see in the preamble of this treaty, a -composition which I know was honoured by his particular approbation." - -It is but justice to some of the most distinguished Persian authors -to add, that there are many exceptions to this redundant style of -composition. In the pages of their greatest poets, Firdousee, Nizamee, -Sadee, and Anwerree, we meet with many passages as remarkable for the -beauty and simplicity of the expression, as the truth and elevation -of the sentiments; and many of their historians have given us plain -narrations of facts, unencumbered with those ornaments and metaphors -which are so popular with the generality of their countrymen. - -How simply and beautifully has Sadee depicted the benefit of good -society in the following well-known apologue! - -"One day as I was in the bath, a friend of mine put into my hand a -piece of scented clay. I took it, and said to it, 'Art thou musk or -ambergris, for I am charmed with thy perfume?' It answered, 'I was -a despicable piece of clay, but I was some time in the company of -the rose; the sweet quality of my companion was communicated to me, -otherwise I should be only a bit of clay, as I appear to be!'" - -And in another[37] he has given, with equal force and simplicity, the -character of true affection:-- - -"There was an affectionate and amiable youth who was betrothed to a -beautiful girl. I have read, that as they were sailing in the great -sea they fell together into a whirlpool: when a mariner went to the -young man, that he might catch his hand, and save him from perishing -in that unhappy juncture, he called aloud, and pointed to his mistress -from the midst of the waves: 'Leave me, and save my beloved!' The whole -world admired him for that speech; and when expiring, he was heard -to say--'Learn not the tale of love from that wretch who forgets his -beloved in the hour of danger.'" - -We often meet with Persian letters written in a style at once clear and -nervous. Of these there cannot be a better example than that addressed -by Nizam-ool-Moolk, the predecessor of the present Soobah, or ruler -of the Deccan, to Mahomed Shah, the weak and luxurious Emperor of -Delhi. This letter, besides the merit of its style, possesses that of -conveying a just idea of what Mahomedans conceive to be the duties and -pursuits of a good and great monarch, a character which is with them -invariably associated with that of a military conqueror. - -The following extracts from this well-known production are very -literal: - -"It is the duty of princes to see that the laws are strictly obeyed; -that the honour of their subjects be preserved inviolate; that justice -be rendered to all men; and that loyal nobles and ancient pillars of -the state, whose claims to reward are established and acknowledged, -be distinguished according to their merits. It is their duty, too, to -seek for pleasure in woods and deserts;[38] to labour unremittingly in -the chastisement of the seditious and refractory; to watch over the -rights and happiness of the lower order of their subjects; to shun the -society of the mean, and to abstain from all prohibited practices, to -the end that none of their people may be able to transgress against the -precepts of religion or morality. - -"It is also the duty of princes to be constantly employed in enlarging -their dominions, and in encouraging and rewarding their soldiery; it -being in the seat of his saddle alone that a king can properly repose. -It was in conformity to this opinion the ancestors[39] of your majesty -established it as a domestic rule, that their wives should be delivered -on their saddle-cloths, although the moment of child-birth is of all -others the one wherein convenience and comfort are most consulted. And -they ordained that this usage should invariably be observed by their -descendants, to the end that these might never forget the hardy and -manly character of their progenitors, or give themselves up to the -slothful and enervating luxury of palaces. - -"It is not in the melodious notes of the musician, or the soft tones of -the mimic singer, that true and delightful harmony consists; but it is -in the clash of arms, the thunder of cannon, and in the piercing sound -of the trumpet, which assembles together the ranks in the field of -battle. It is not by decking out the charms of a favourite female that -power and dominion are to be maintained, but by manfully wielding the -sword; nor is it in celebrating the Hoolee[40] with base eunuchs, that -men of real spirit are seen to sprinkle each other with red, but it is -in the conflict of heroes with intrepid enemies. - -"It being solely with the view of correcting the errors of your -Majesty's government, and of restoring its ancient splendour, that -the meanest of your servants has been moved, by the warmth of his -zeal and attachment, to impart his sentiments to your Majesty, he has -made up his mind to the consequences of this well-meant freedom, and -will cheerfully submit to his fate; being in the mean time, however, -determined (God willing) to persevere in the design which he has -formed, of endeavouring to re-establish the affairs of the empire by -every means that may be consistent with his duty and with propriety." - -The affecting death of Yezdijird, the last of the Kaianian race of -kings, affords a fair specimen of that plain and distinct style in -which some of the best histories of Persia are written. It is as -follows: - -"When the inhabitants of Merv heard that Yezdijird had fled from -Persia, and was within their territory, they were anxious to apprehend -and destroy him. They accordingly addressed a letter to Tanjtakh, the -King of Tartary, stating, 'The King of Persia has fled from the Arabs -and taken refuge with us; we are not inclined to be his adherents, -we are more favourably inclined towards you, whose approach we -desire, that we may be freed from him, and place ourselves under your -protection.' - -"As soon as Tanjtakh received this letter he desired to gain possession -of Merv, and marched with a considerable army towards that city. -Yezdijird, hearing of his near approach, and of the force by which he -was accompanied, departed from the Caravanserai where he had alighted, -at midnight, unattended and undetermined where to go. As he walked -straight forward, he saw a light on the side of a stream, to which he -directed his footsteps. He found a miller engaged in the labours of -his mill, to whom he said, 'I am a man in desperate circumstances, and -have an enemy whom I have every reason to dread; afford me an asylum -for this one night; to-morrow I will give you what may make you easy -for life.' The miller replied, 'Enter that mill, and remain there.' -Yezdijird went into the mill, and laying sorrow aside, went composedly -to sleep. When the miller's servants observed that he was gone to rest, -and entirely off his guard, they armed themselves with clubs, and -falling upon him slew him. Having done this they stripped the body of -the gold and silver ornaments, the imperial robe, and the crown: then -taking the corpse by the feet, they dragged it along, and threw it into -the mill-dam. - -"Next day Tanjtakh arrived at Merv, and the inhabitants sought -Yezdijird in every direction. By chance the miller being met, was -interrogated. He denied having any knowledge of him; but one of his -servants, who was dressed in a woollen garment, having come before -them, they, discovering that he smelt strongly of perfume, tore open -his garment, and found Yezdijird's imperial robe, scented with ottar -and other essences, hid in his bosom. They now examined all the other -servants, and found that each had some article secreted about his -person; and after being put to the torture they confessed the whole -transaction. - -"Tanjtakh immediately sent people to search the mill-dam for the body, -which they soon found and laid before him. When he saw the corpse of -the king he wept bitterly, and ordered it to be embalmed with spices -and perfumes; and he further directed, that after it was wrapt, -according to the usage of the Kaianian monarchs, in a shroud, and -placed in a coffin, it should be sent to Persia to be interred in the -same place, and with the same ceremonies, as other sovereigns of the -race of Kaian. - -"Tanjtakh also commanded that the miller and his servants should be put -to death." - -What has been said in this chapter, and the examples of the various -styles with which my opinions have been illustrated, will satisfy the -reader that the mine of Persian literature contains every substance, -from the dazzling diamond to the useful granite, and that its materials -may be employed with equal success to build castles in the air or -upon the earth. My prejudices are, I confess, in favour of the former -fabrics, which in the East are constructed with a magnificence unknown -to the graver spirits of our Western hemisphere. - -FOOTNOTES: - -[34] This, with some other verses in the fable, are from Persian poets -of celebrity, whose stanzas it is an invariable usage to introduce in -such compositions. - -[35] A metaphorical name for angels. - -[36] Be-mezmoon Badbakht. - -[37] Both these Apologues have been translated by Sir W. Jones. - -[38] Alluding to hunting and other field sports. - -[39] The Princes of Tartary. The country we term Tartary is by the -Asiatics called Turkistan. We have given the name of a small tribe of -Moghuls to the whole region inhabited by that and other races, in the -same manner as the Oriental nations called Europe Faringastan, or the -country of the Franks, because they first became acquainted with the -people of France. - -[40] A remarkable festival held in India to celebrate the commencement -of the new year, in which they fling red powder at one another: it -commences at the vernal equinox. - - - - -CHAPTER XI. - - Shiraz--Shaikh-ool-Islam, or Chief Judge--Story of - Abd-ool-Kadir--Entertainments--Derveesh Seffer--Story of Abdulla of - Khorassan--Persian Poet. - - -Our only occupation at Shiraz was feasting, visiting, and giving and -receiving presents. The cupidity of the Persians exceeded all bounds, -and ministers, courtiers, merchants, wits, and poets, were running a -race for the Elchee's favour, which was often accompanied by a watch, -a piece of chintz, or of broadcloth. Their conduct confirmed me in a -belief I had imbibed at Abusheher, that all the Persians were crafty -and rapacious rogues. I like to decide quickly; it saves trouble; and -when once decided, I am particularly averse to believe my judgment is -not infallible. - -The Envoy had hired, as before noticed, for his Persian secretary, -a mild moderate man, who appeared to have both good sense and good -principle: but although some time had elapsed, and I had watched him -narrowly without discerning a flaw, I attributed this to his art, -and I therefore gave little heed to his reasoning when he used to -plead for his countrymen, urging (as he often did), that, from our -being strangers, and from our reputation for wealth, generosity, and -inexperience, we were naturally exposed to the attacks of the cunning -and designing, from whose conduct we drew general inferences, which -were not quite fair. "We are not all so bad as you think us," the good -Aga Meer used to say, with a smile; "we have some redeeming characters; -these may be rare, but still they exist; but that, you English will as -yet hardly believe." He used frequently to mention to me, as one, a -relation of his own, the Shaikh-ool-Islam, or Chief Judge and Priest of -Shiraz: "He was," he said, "a person who combined sense and information -with piety and humility. He has never come," added he, "like these -greedy nobles and hungry poets, to prey upon the munificence of the -Elchee; and when the latter, hearing that his sight was weak, sent him -a pair of spectacles beautifully mounted in silver, he returned them, -requesting a pair set in common tortoise-shell." Though I heard the -account of this paraded humility with a smile, I was very happy to -find we were to meet this paragon of modest merit at a breakfast, to -which Mahomed Hoosein Khan, the son of the minister Hajee Ibrahim, had -invited the Envoy. - -The party assembled at the garden of Sadee, and we were seated near -a fountain close to the tomb of the Persian moralist. There was some -punctilio in taking our places: but the Elchee, though a stickler for -rank with the temporal lords, insisted upon giving the highest seat -to the Shaikh-ool-Islam, who at last consented to take it, observing, -the compliment, he felt, was not personal, but meant to his situation -as a minister of religion. I sat near, and listened attentively to -his conversation, in the hope of detecting the Persian, but was not -successful. "You must," he said to the Envoy, "believe me to be void of -rational curiosity, and a man who affects humility, because I have not -only never been to pay my respects, but when you sent me these costly -and beautiful spectacles, I solicited a cheaper and less showy pair. In -both instances, however, I acted against my personal inclinations from -an imperative sense of duty. My passion," said the Shaikh, "is to hear -the history, the manners, and usages of foreign countries; and where -could I have such an opportunity of gratifying my curiosity as in your -society? I was particularly pleased with the silver spectacles; the -glasses suited my eyes; and others in my house besides myself," said -he, smiling, "thought they were very becoming. But I was forced in both -cases to practise self-denial. The poor have no shield between them -and despotic power, but persons in my condition; and they naturally -watch our conduct with great vigilance and jealousy: had I, for my own -gratification, visited you, and displayed on my person the proofs of -your liberality, they would have thought their judge was like others, -and have lost some portion of their confidence in my best efforts to -protect them. Besides, ministers and courtiers would have rejoiced in -my departure from those rigid rules, the observance of which enables -us expounders of the Koran to be some check upon them. These were my -motives," concluded the Shaikh-ool-Islam, "for a conduct which must -have seemed almost rude; but you will now understand it, and not -condemn me." - -The Envoy was evidently delighted with his new friend, and their -conversation was protracted for several hours. The Shaikh-ool-Islam -endeavoured to impress him with a favourable opinion of the law of -which he was an organ, and illustrated his arguments with anecdotes of -religious and learned men, of which I shall give those that struck me -as the happiest. - -The celebrated Aboo Yusuph, he said, who was chief judge of Bagdad -in the reign of the Caliph Hadee, was a very remarkable instance of -that humility which distinguishes true wisdom. His sense of his own -deficiencies often led him to entertain doubts, where men of less -knowledge and more presumption were decided. "It is related of this -judge," said the Shaikh-ool-Islam, "that on one occasion, after a very -patient investigation of facts, he declared that his knowledge was not -competent to decide upon the case before him." "Pray, do you expect," -said a pert courtier, who heard this declaration, "that the caliph is -to pay your ignorance?" "I do not," was the mild reply; "the caliph -pays me, and well, for what I do know; if he were to attempt to pay me -for what I do not know, the treasures of his empire would not suffice." - -The orthodox Shaikh spoke with more toleration than I expected of -the Soofees, who, from the wild and visionary doctrines which they -profess, are in general held up by the Mahomedan priests as objects of -execration. "There were," he observed, "many good and most exemplary -men included in this sect, merely because they were enthusiasts in -religion. Besides," said the Shaikh, "both our poets, Hafiz and Sadee, -but particularly the former, were Soofees; and what native of Shiraz -can pass a harsh sentence upon them? We must," he continued, "lament -the errors of Soofees in consideration of their virtues; and even in -their wildest wanderings they convey the most important lessons--for -instance, how simply and beautifully has Abd-ool-Kadir of Ghilan -impressed us with the love of truth in a story of his childhood."[41] - -After stating the vision which made him entreat of his mother to allow -him to go to Bagdad and devote himself to God, he thus proceeds. "I -informed her of what I had seen, and she wept: then taking out eighty -dinars, she told me that as I had a brother, half of that was all my -inheritance; she made me swear, when she gave it me, never to tell -a lie, and afterwards bade me farewell, exclaiming, 'Go, my son, I -consign thee to God; we shall not meet again till the day of judgment.' -I went on well," he adds, "till I came near to Hamadan, when our -kafillah was plundered by sixty horsemen: one fellow asked me, 'what I -had got?' 'Forty dinars,' said I, 'are sewed under my garments.' The -fellow laughed, thinking, no doubt, I was joking with him. 'What have -you got?' said another; I gave him the same answer. When they were -dividing the spoil, I was called to an eminence where the chief stood: -'What property have you got my little fellow?' said he. 'I have told -two of your people already,' I replied, 'I have forty dinars sewed up -carefully in my clothes!' He ordered them to be ript open, and found -my money.--'And how came you,' said he, with surprise, 'to declare so -openly, what has been so carefully hidden?' 'Because,' I replied, 'I -will not be false to my mother, to whom I have promised that I will -never tell a lie,' 'Child,' said the robber, 'hast thou such a sense -of thy duty to thy mother at thy years, and am I insensible, at my -age, of the duty I owe to my God? Give me thy hand, innocent boy,' -he continued, 'that I may swear repentance upon it.' He did so--his -followers were all alike struck with the scene. 'You have been our -leader in guilt,' said they to their chief, 'be the same in the path of -virtue;' and they instantly, at his order, made restitution of their -spoil, and vowed repentance on my hand." - -The Elchee, before this party separated, endeavoured to persuade the -high priest to allow him the pleasure of a more frequent intercourse; -but his kind invitations were declined in a manner and for reasons -which satisfied me I had at least met with one good Persian. - -While at Shiraz, we were entertained by the prince, his ministers, and -some of the principal inhabitants. A breakfast was given to the Elchee, -at a beautiful spot near the Hazar Bagh, or thousand gardens, in the -vicinity of Shiraz; and we were surprised and delighted to find that -we were to enjoy this meal on a stack of roses. On this a carpet was -laid, and we sat cross-legged like the natives. The stack, which was as -large as a common one of hay in England, had been formed without much -trouble from the heaps or cocks of rose-leaves, collected before they -were sent into the city to be distilled. We were told our party was the -first to which such a compliment had been paid. Whether this was the -case or not, our mount of roses, added to the fine climate, verdant -gardens, and clear rills, gave a character of singular luxuriance to -this rural banquet. - -We were at several evening parties. The dinner given by the minister, -Mahomed Nebbee Khan, was the most magnificent. He has been in India; -and some English usages, to please and accommodate us, were grafted on -the Persian. We went at five o'clock in the evening, and were received -in his state hall. In the court-yard, in front of the room in which we -sat, were assembled rope-dancers, wrestlers, musicians, lions, bears, -and monkeys, all of which exhibited their different feats till sunset; -when, after being regaled with coffee, kellians, and sweetmeats, we -were conducted to another apartment, where we found a dessert of fruit -very elegantly laid out in the English style. After sitting in this -room for about an hour, we returned to the state hall, which we had no -sooner entered than the fireworks commenced; and though the space where -they were exhibited was very confined, they were the best I ever saw. -The rockets were let off from a frame which kept them together, and -produced a beautiful effect. There was another sort called zembooreh, -or swivels, which made a report like a twelve pounder, and added great -spirit and effect to this exhibition. After it was over we had a most -sumptuous repast of fine pelaws, &c., and iced sherbets. - -The day before we left Shiraz, Derveesh Seffer, my old acquaintance, -paid the Elchee a visit. This remarkable man, who has charge of the -shrines[42] (including those of Sadee and Hafiz) near Shiraz, is -esteemed one of the best reciters of poetry and tellers of tales in -Persia; and there is no country in the world where more value is placed -upon such talents; he who possesses them in an eminent degree is as -certain of fortune and fame as the first actors in Europe. Derveesh -Seffer, who is honoured by the royal favour, has a very melodious -voice, over which he has such power as to be able to imitate every -sound, from that of the softest feminine to the harshest masculine -voice. The varied expression of his countenance is quite as astonishing -as his voice, and his action is remarkably graceful, and always suited -to his subject. His memory is not only furnished with an infinite -variety of stories, but with all the poetry of his country; this -enables him to give interest and effect to the most meagre tale, by -apt quotations from the first authors of Persia. Those told by persons -like him usually blend religious feeling with entertainment, and are -meant to recommend charity; but I cannot better conclude this account -of my friend the Derveesh than by giving a tale which he recited to -the Envoy, with a view no doubt of impressing him with a belief that -worldly success might be promoted by munificence, in any shape, to -shrines like those of which he had charge. - -The Derveesh having seated himself in a proper position, commenced with -a fine passage from the poet Nizamee in praise of those who, possessing -the talent of recitation, give currency and effect to the noble -thoughts of departed genius. After a short pause he began his tale. - -"In a sequestered vale of the fruitful province of Khorassan there -lived a peasant called Abdulla. He had married a person in his own rank -of life, who, though very plain in her appearance, had received from -her fond father the fine name of Zeeba, or the beautiful; to which act -of parental folly the good woman owed the few seeds of vanity that -mixed in her homely character. It was this feeling that led her to -name her two children Yusuph and Fatima, conceiving, no doubt, that -the fortunate name of the son of Yacoob, the vizier of Far'oun, and -fascinator of Zuleikha,[43] would aid the boy in his progress through -life; while there could be no doubt of her little girl receiving equal -advantages from being named after the daughter of the Prophet, and the -wife of the renowned Ali. - -"With all these family pretensions from high names, no man's means -could be more humble, or views more limited, than those of Abdulla; but -he was content and happy: he was strong and healthy, and laboured for -the reis or squire, who owned the land on which his cottage stood--he -had done so from youth, and had never left, nor ever desired to leave, -his native valley. The wages of his labour were paid in grain and -cloth, sufficient for the food and clothing of his family and himself; -with money he was unacquainted except by name. - -"It happened, however, one day, that the reis was so well pleased with -Abdulla's exertions that he made him a present of ten piastres. Abdulla -could hardly express his thanks, he was so surprised and overjoyed at -this sudden influx of wealth. The moment he could get away from his -daily labour he ran home to his wife:--'There, my Zeeba,' said he, -'there are riches for you!' and he spread the money before her. The -astonishment and delight of the good woman was little less than that -of her husband, and the children were called to share in the joy of -their parents. 'Well,' said Abdulla, still looking at the money, 'the -next thing to consider is what is to be done with this vast sum. The -reis has given me to-morrow as a holiday, and I do think, my dear wife, -if you approve, I will go to the famous city of Meshed; I never saw -it, but it is not above six or seven fersekhs distant. I will pay my -devotions at the shrine of the holy Imam Mehdee, upon whom be God's -blessing, and like a good Mahomedan deposit there two piastres--one -fifth of my wealth--and then I will go to the great bazar, of which I -have heard so much, and purchase with the remainder every thing you, my -dear wife and children, can wish; tell me what you would like best. - -"'I will be moderate,' said Zeeba; 'I want nothing but a piece of -handsome silk for a dress; I think it would be becoming and as she -said so, all the associations to which her father had given birth -when he gave her a name shot across her mind. 'Bring me,' said the -sturdy little Yusuph, 'a nice horse and a sword.' 'And me,' said -his sister, in a softer tone, 'an Indian handkerchief and a pair of -golden slippers.' 'Every one of these articles shall be here to-morrow -evening,' said Abdulla, as he kissed his happy family; and early next -morning, taking a stout staff in his hand, he commenced his journey -towards Meshed. - -"When Abdulla approached the holy city his attention was first -attracted by the cluster of splendid domes and minarets, which -encircled the tomb of the holy Imam Mehdee, whose roofs glittered with -gold. He gazed with wonder at a sight which appeared to him more like -those which the faithful are promised in heaven, than any thing he ever -expected to see on this earth. Passing through the streets which led -to such magnificent buildings, he could look at nothing but them. When -arrived at the gate of the sacred shrine, he stopped for a moment in -silent awe, and asked a venerable priest, who was reading the Koran, -if he might proceed, explaining at the same time his object. 'Enter, -my brother,' said the old man; 'bestow your alms, and you shall be -rewarded; for one of the most pious of the caliphs has said--'Prayer -takes a man half way to paradise; fasting brings him to its portals; -but these are only opened to him who is charitable." - -"Having deposited, like a good and pious Mussulman, the fifth[44] -of his treasure on the shrine of the holy Imam, Abdulla went to the -great bazar; on entering which his senses were quite confounded by the -novel sight of the pedestrian crowd hurrying to and fro; the richly -caparisoned horses, the splendid trains of the nobles, and the loaded -camels and mules, which filled the space between rich shops, where -every ware of Europe, India, China, Tartary, and Persia was displayed. -He gazed with open mouth at every thing he saw, and felt for the first -time what an ignorant and insignificant being he had hitherto been. -Though pushed from side to side by those on foot, and often nearly run -over by those on horseback, it was some time before he became aware of -the dangers to which his wonder exposed him. These accidents however -soon put him out of humour with the bustle he had at first so much -admired, and determined him to finish his business and return to his -quiet home. - -"Entering a shop where there was a number of silks, such as he had -seen worn by the family of the reis, he inquired for their finest -pieces. The shopman looked at him, and observing from his dress that -he was from the country, concluded he was one of those rich farmers, -who, notwithstanding the wealth they have acquired, maintain the plain -habits of the peasantry, to whom they have a pride in belonging. He, -consequently, thought he had a good customer; that is, a man who added -to riches but little knowledge of the article he desired to purchase. -With this impression he tossed and tumbled over every piece of silk -in his shop. Abdulla was so bewildered by their beauty and variety, -that it was long before he could decide; at last he fixed upon one, -which was purple with a rich embroidered border. 'I will take this,' -he said, wrapping it up, and putting it under his arm; 'What is the -price?'--'I shall only ask you, who are a new customer,' said the man, -'two hundred piastres; I should ask any one else three or four hundred -for so exquisite a specimen of manufacture, but I wish to tempt you -back again, when you leave your beautiful lands in the country to -honour our busy town with your presence.' Abdulla stared, replaced the -silk, and repeated in amazement--'Two--hundred--piastres! you must be -mistaken; do you mean such piastres as these?' taking one out of the -eight he had left in his pocket, and holding it up to the gaze of the -astonished shopkeeper. 'Certainly I do,' said the latter; 'and it is -very cheap at that price.' 'Poor Zeeba!' said Abdulla, with a sigh at -the thoughts of her disappointment. 'Poor who?' said the silk-mercer. -'My wife,' said Abdulla. 'What have I to do with your wife?' said the -man, whose tone altered as his chance of sale diminished. 'Why,' said -Abdulla, 'I will tell you all: I have worked hard for the reis of our -village ever since I was a boy; I never saw money till yesterday, when -he gave me ten piastres. I came to Meshed, where I had never been -before. I had given, like a good Mussulman, a fifth of my wealth to the -Imam Mehdee, the holy descendant of our blessed Prophet, and with the -eight remaining piastres I intend to buy a piece of embroidered silk -for my good wife, a horse and sword for my little boy, and an Indian -handkerchief and a pair of golden slippers for my darling daughter; -and here you ask me two hundred piastres for one piece of silk How am -I to pay you, and with what money am I to buy the other articles? tell -me that,' said Abdulla, in a reproachful tone. 'Get out of my shop!' -said the enraged vender of silks; 'here have I been wasting my valuable -time, and rumpling my choicest goods, for a fool and a madman! Go along -to your Zeeba and your booby children; buy stale cakes and black sugar -for them, and do not trouble me any more.' So saying he thrust his new -and valued customer out of the door. - -"Abdulla muttered to himself as he went away, 'No doubt this is a -rascal, but there may be honest men in Meshed; I will try amongst the -horse-dealers; and having inquired where these were to be found, he -hastened to get a handsome pony for Yusuph. No sooner had he arrived -at the horse market, and made his wishes known, than twenty were -exhibited. As he was admiring one that pranced along delightfully, a -friend, whom he had never seen before, whispered him to beware, that -the animal, though he went very well when heated, was dead lame when -cool. He had nearly made up his mind to purchase another, when the -same man significantly pointed to the hand of the owner, which was -one finger short, and then champing with his mouth and looking at the -admired horse, gave Abdulla to understand that his beloved boy might -incur some hazard from such a purchase. The very thought alarmed him; -and he turned to his kind friend, and asked if he could not recommend -a suitable animal? The man said, his brother had one, which, if he -could be prevailed upon to part with, would just answer, but he doubted -whether he would sell him; yet as his son, who used to ride this horse, -was gone to school, he thought he might. Abdulla was all gratitude, and -begged him to exert his influence. This was promised and done; and in a -few minutes a smart little grey horse, with head and tail in the air, -cantered up. The delighted peasant conceived Yusuph on his back, and, -in a hurry to realize his vision, demanded the price. 'Any other person -but yourself,' said the man, 'should not have him for one piastre less -than two hundred; but as I trust to make a friend as well as a bargain, -I have persuaded my brother to take only one hundred and fifty.' The -astonished Abdulla stepped back--'Why you horse-dealers,' said he, -'whom I thought were such good men, are as bad as the silk-mercers!' -He then recapitulated to his friend the rise of his present fortune, -and all that had occurred since he entered Meshed. The man had hardly -patience to hear him to a close; 'And have I,' said he, 'been throwing -away my friendship, and hazarding a quarrel with my brethren, by an -over-zealous honesty to please a fool of a bumpkin! Get along to your -Zeeba, and your Yusuph, and your Fatima, and buy for your young hopeful -the sixteenth share of a jackass! the smallest portion of that animal -is more suited to your means and your mind, than a hair of the tail of -the fine horses you have presumed to look at!' - -"So saying, he went away in a rage, leaving Abdulla in perfect dismay. -He thought, however, he might still succeed in obtaining some of the -lesser articles; he, however, met with nothing but disappointment: -the lowest priced sword was thirty piastres, the golden slippers were -twenty, and a small Indian handkerchief was twelve, being four piastres -more than all he possessed. - -"Disgusted with the whole scene, the good man turned his steps -towards home. As he was passing through the suburbs he met a holy -mendicant exclaiming, 'Charity, charity! He that giveth to the poor -lendeth to the Lord; and he that lendeth to the Lord shall be repaid -a hundred-fold.' 'What is that you say?' said Abdulla. The beggar -repeated his exclamation. 'You are the only person I can deal with,' -said the good but simple peasant; 'there are eight piastres--all I -possess; take them, and use them in the name of the Almighty, but -take care that I am hereafter paid a hundred-fold, for without it I -shall never be able to gratify my dear wife and children.' And in the -simplicity of his heart he repeated to the mendicant all which had -occurred, that he might exactly understand the situation in which he -was placed. - -"The holy man, scarcely able to suppress a smile as he carefully folded -up the eight piastres, bade Abdulla to be of good heart, and rely -upon a sure return. He then left him, exclaiming as before, 'Charity, -charity! He that giveth to the poor lendeth to the Lord; and he that -lendeth to the Lord shall be repaid a hundred-fold.' - -"When Abdulla came within sight of his cottage, they all ran to meet -him. The breathless Yusuph was the first who reached his father: -'Where is my horse and my sword?' 'And my Indian handkerchief and -golden slippers?' said little Fatima, who had now come up. 'And my -silk vest?' said Zeeba, who was close behind her daughter. 'But wealth -has changed your disposition, my dear Abdulla!' said the good woman: -'you have become grave, and no doubt,' she added with a smile, 'so -dignified, that you could not be burdened, but have hired a servant to -bring home the horse and to carry the presents for your family. Well, -children, be patient; we shall see every thing in a few minutes.' -Abdulla shook his head, but would not speak a word till he entered his -dwelling. He then seated himself on his coarse mat, and repeated all -his adventures, every part of which was heard with temper till his -last act, that of giving his piastres to the mendicant. Zeeba, who -had a little more knowledge of the world than her husband, and whose -mind was ruffled by disappointment, loudly reproached him with his -stupidity and folly in thus throwing away the money he had obtained -by the liberality of the reis, to whom she immediately went and gave -information of all that had occurred. The enraged squire sent for -Abdulla: 'You blockhead,' said he, 'what have you been about? I, who -am a man of substance, never give more than a copper coin[45] to these -vagabond rascals who go about asking charity; and here you have given -one of them eight piastres; enough to spoil the whole generation; but -he promised you a hundred-fold, and you shall have it to prevent future -folly. Here,' said he to the servants near him, 'seize the fellow, and -give him a hundred stripes!' The order was obeyed as soon as given, and -poor Abdulla went home on the night of the day following that which -had dawned upon his wealth, sore from a beating, without a coin in -his pocket, out of temper with silk-mercers, horse-dealers, cutlers, -slipper-makers, mendicants, squires, wives, himself, and all the world. - -"Early next morning Abdulla was awakened by a message, that the reis -wanted him. Before he went he had forgiven his wife, who was much -grieved at the punishment which her indiscretion had brought upon -her husband. He also kissed his children, and bid them be of good -heart, for he might yet, through God's favour, make amends for the -disappointment he had caused them. When he came to the reis, the latter -said, 'I have found a job for you, Abdulla, that will bring you to your -senses: here, in this dry soil, I mean to dig for water, and you must -toil day after day till it is found.' So saying, he went away, leaving -Abdulla to his own sad reflections and hard labour He made little -progress the first two days; but on the third, when about six cubits -below the surface, he came upon a brass vessel: on looking into which, -he found it full of round white stones, which were beautiful from their -smoothness and fine lustre. He tried to break one with his teeth, -but could not. 'Well,' said he, 'this is no doubt some of the rice -belonging to the squire which has been turned into stones: I am glad -of it--he is a cruel master; I will, however, take them home--they are -very pretty; and now I recollect I saw some very like them at Meshed -for sale. But what can this be? said Abdulla to himself, disengaging -another pot from the earth--'Oho! these are darker, they must have been -wheat--but they are very beautiful; and here!' cried he, 'these shining -pieces of glass are finer and brighter than all the rest; but I will -try if they are glass;' and he put one of them between two stones, but -could not break it. - -"Pleased with this discovery, and believing he had got something -valuable, but ignorant what it was, he dug out all he could find, and -putting them into a bag carefully concealed it even from his wife. -His plan was, to obtain a day's leave from his master, and go again -to Meshed, where he had hopes of selling the pretty stones of various -colours for as much money as would purchase the silk vest, the horse, -the sword, the slippers, and the handkerchief. His mind dwelt with -satisfaction on the pleasing surprise it would be to those he loved, to -see him return home, mounted on the horse, and loaded with the other -articles. But while the pious Abdulla indulged in this dream, he always -resolved that the Imam Mehdee should receive a fifth of whatever wealth -he obtained. - -"After some weeks' hard labour at the well, water was found. The reis -was in good humour, and the boon of a holiday was granted. Abdulla -departed before daylight, that no one might see the bag which he -carried; when close to Meshed, he concealed it near the root of a tree, -having first taken out two handfuls of the pretty stones, to try what -kind of a market he could make of them. He went to a shop where he had -seen some like them. He asked the man, pointing to those in the shop, -if he would buy any such articles? 'Certainly,' said the jeweller, -for such he was; 'have you one to sell?' 'One!' said Abdulla, 'I -have plenty.' 'Plenty!' repeated the man. 'Yes: a bag-full.' 'Common -pebbles, I suppose; can you show me any?' 'Look here!' said Abdulla, -taking out a handful, which so surprised the jeweller that it was -some time before he could speak. 'Will you remain here, honest man,' -said he, 'for a moment,' trembling as he spoke, 'and I will return -instantly.' So saying, he left the shop, but reappeared in a few -minutes with the chief magistrate and some of his attendants. 'There -is the man,' said he; 'I am innocent of all dealings with him: he has -found the long lost treasure of Khoosroo:[46] his pockets are filled -with diamonds, rubies, and pearls, in price and lustre far beyond -any existing; and he says he has a bag-full.' The magistrate ordered -Abdulla to be searched, and the jewels which had been described were -found. He was then desired to show where he had deposited the bag, -which he did; all were carefully sealed, and carried with Abdulla to -the governor, by whom he was strictly examined. He told his whole -history from first to last: the receiving of ten piastres; his charity -at the shrine of the Imam; his intended purchases; the conduct of the -mercer, the horse-dealer, the cutler, the slipper-maker; the promises -of the mendicant; the disappointment and anger of his wife; the cruelty -of the reis; the digging of the well; the discovery of the pretty -stones; the plan formed for disposing of them, with the reserve for -further charity: all this was narrated with a clearness and simplicity -that stamped its truth, which was confirmed by the testimony of his -wife and children, who were brought to Meshed. But notwithstanding -this, Abdulla, his family, and the treasures he had found, were a few -days afterwards despatched for Isfahan, under a guard of five hundred -horsemen. Express couriers were sent before to advise the ministers of -the great Abbas of the discovery which had been made, and of all that -had been done. - -"During these proceedings at Meshed, extraordinary events occurred at -Isfahan. Shah Abbas the Great saw one night in a dream the holy Imam -Mehdee, clothed in green robes. The saint, after looking steadfastly -at the monarch, exclaimed, 'Abbas, protect and favour my friend!' The -king was much troubled at this dream, and desired his astrologers -and wise men to expound it: but they could not. On the two following -nights the same vision appeared, and the same words were pronounced. -The monarch lost all temper, and threatened the chief astrologer and -others with death, unless they relieved the anxiety of his mind before -the evening of the same day. While preparations were making for their -execution, the couriers from the governor of Meshed arrived, and the -vizier, after perusing the letters, hastened to the king. 'Let the mind -of the refuge[47] of the world be at repose,' he said: 'for the dream -of our monarch is explained. The peasant Abdulla of Khorassan, who, -though ignorant and poor, is pious and charitable, and who has become -the chosen instrument of Providence for discovering the treasures of -Khoosroo, is the revealed friend of the holy Imam Mehdee, who has -commanded that this good and humble man be honoured by the protection -and favour of the king of kings.' - -"Shah Abbas listened to the particulars which were written from Meshed -with delight: his mind was quite relieved, and he ordered all his -nobles and his army to accompany him a day's march from Isfahan to -meet the friend of the holy Imam. When the approach of the party was -announced, the king walked from his tent a short distance to meet -them. First came one hundred horsemen; next Abdulla, with his arms -bound, sitting on a camel; after him, on another, his wife Zeeba, and -followed by their children, Yusuph and Fatima, riding together on -a third. Behind the prisoners was the treasure. A hundred horsemen -guarded each flank, and two hundred covered the rear. Shah Abbas made -the camels which carried Abdulla and his family kneel close to him, and -aided, with his royal hands, to untie the cords by which the good man -was bound, while others released his wife and children. A suit of the -king's own robes were directed to be put upon Abdulla, and the monarch -led him to a seat close to his throne: but before he would consent to -be seated, he thus addressed his majesty. - -"'O King of the Universe, I am a poor man, but I was contented with my -lot, and happy in my family, till I first knew wealth. From that day my -life has been a series of misfortunes: folly and ambition have made me -entertain wishes out of my sphere, and I have brought disappointment -and misfortune on those I loved best; but now that my death is near, -and it pleases your majesty to amuse yourself with a mock-honour to -your slave, he is satisfied, if your royal clemency will only spare the -lives of that kind woman and these dear children. Let them be restored -to the peace and innocence of their native valley, and deal with me -according to your royal pleasure.' - -"On uttering these words, Abdulla, overcome by his feelings, burst into -tears. Abbas was himself greatly moved. 'Good and pious man,' he said, -'I intend to honour, not to slay thee. Thy humble and sincere prayers, -and thy charitable offerings at the shrine of the holy Mehdee, have -been approved and accepted. He has commanded me to protect and favour -thee. Thou shalt stay a few days at my capital, to recover from thy -fatigues, and return as governor of that province from which thou hast -come a prisoner. A wise minister, versed in the forms of office, shall -attend thee; but in thy piety and honesty of character I shall find -the best qualities for him who is destined to rule over others. Thy -good wife Zeeba has already received the silk vest she so anxiously -expected; and it shall be my charge,' continued the gracious monarch, -with a smile, 'to see Yusuph provided with a horse and sword, and that -little Fatima shall have her handkerchief and golden slippers.' - -"The manner as well as the expressions of the king dispelled all -Abdulla's fears, and filled his heart with boundless gratitude. He was -soon after nominated governor of Khorassan, and became famous over the -country for his humanity and justice. He repaired, beautified, and -richly endowed the shrine of the holy Imam, to whose guardian care he -ever ascribed his advancement. Yusuph became a favourite of Abbas, and -was distinguished by his skill in horsemanship, and by his gallantry. -Fatima was married to one of the principal nobles, and the good Zeeba -had the satisfaction through life of being sole mistress in her family, -and having no rival in the affection of her husband, who continued to -cherish, in his exalted situation, those ties and feelings which had -formed his happiness in humble life." - -Such is the story of Abdulla of Khorassan, as given by my friend -Derveesh Seffer; but the difference between perusing it and hearing -him tell it, is that between reading a play and seeing it acted by -the first performers. I had heard him tell this tale ten years before, -when a curious incident occured. Two gentlemen rose to leave the party -when he was commencing: he asked the cause of their departure. "They -do not understand Persian," I said. "That is of no consequence," he -replied; "entreat them to stay, and they will soon find that their -ignorance of the language does not place them beyond my power." His -wishes were explained, and the result proved he was correct; they were -nearly as much entertained as others, and had their feelings almost -equally excited; such was his admirable expression of countenance, and -so varied the intonations of his voice. - -I was pleased to see my friend Derveesh Seffer treated with liberality -by the Elchee. Such conduct towards persons of his character and -profession makes useful impressions. But here, as elsewhere, much -depends upon the selection of proper objects of notice; and it is no -easy matter to resist the constant attempts which are made to obtain -money or presents. - -A poet of Shiraz, named Moollah Adam, had gone a stage from that city -to present an ode to the Elchee, whom he had in this long and laboured -production compared to Roostem, the hero of Persia, for valour; to -Peeran-Weeseh, the Solomon of Tartary, for wisdom; and to Hatim-Tai, -the most munificent of Arabian princes, for generosity. He had been -rewarded for his trouble, but was not satisfied, and his genius was -taxed to obtain something more. While we were sitting in the room, at -the gateway of the beautiful garden of Jehan-Nooma, looking at the -mules carrying our baggage towards Isfahan, this votary of the muses -made his appearance: his professed object was to take leave; his real -purpose was to read an epigram of four lines,[48] the concluding one of -which was-- - - "Moollah Adam neek sa'et yaft." - -This line, from sa'et signifying hour or watch, might either be -translated, - - "Moollah Adam chose a good (or propitious) hour," - -or, - - "Moollah Adam got a good watch." - -The animals, laden with the most valuable articles, were at the moment -on the road below the window where we were seated, and the Elchee, -pointing to them, said, "Sa'et goozesht," the hour is past, or, the -watch is gone. The countenance of the poet, which had, on reading his -last line, glistened with expectation, changed for a moment, but was -soon covered with forced smiles, and he declared that he would rather -carry the Elchee's happy reply into the city than ten watches. I -trembled lest this flattery should succeed: it did not; and he departed -apparently in good humour, but inwardly, no doubt, much disappointed. - -FOOTNOTES: - -[41] This story is given in the History of Persia, vol. ii. p. 405. - -[42] Tekkeyahs. - -[43] The frail wife of Potiphar, according to the Mahomedans. - -[44] The Mahomedan law only requires a small deduction on account of -charity from what is necessary for subsistence; but of all superfluous -wealth (and such Abdulla deemed his ten piastres) true believers were -expected to give one-fifth to the poor. - -[45] "Pool-e-siyah," literally, black coin. - -[46] Cyrus. There is a common belief in Persia that an immense treasure -was buried by this monarch. - -[47] Jehan-Penah. - -[48] Roobai or Quatrain. - - - - -CHAPTER XII. - - Persian Servants--Departure from Shiraz--Persepolis--Tale of the - Labours of Roostem--Anecdote of a Sportsman. - - -The formation of the Elchee's establishment, which had commenced at -Abusheher, was completed at Shiraz. Servants of every description were -hired; and in all cases the preference was given to those who had been -on our first mission; when such were dead, that was transferred to -their brothers, sons, or near relations. - -The Persians are more than good-looking, they are a handsome race of -men. All the public and private servants of the mission were dressed -in silk and cloth tunics, with new lamb's-wool caps, many with silk -and some with shawl waistbands; besides, they were all clean, and had -their beards well-trimmed for the occasion, knowing that, to those who -pretend to figure in the train of an Elchee, personal appearance is of -no slight consequence. - -Thus attended, we proceeded towards the footstool of royalty. Nine -splendidly dressed Jelloodars or grooms, under the direction of a -Meer-Akhoor, or master of the horse, led nine beautiful horses, richly -caparisoned, with saddles and bridles finely ornamented with gold -and silver. Next came eight Shatirs, or running footmen, dressed in -tunics of yellow cloth, trimmed with silver; and then the Elchee and -suite, followed by a large escort of cavalry, with kettle-drums and -trumpets. On the flanks of this state-line of march were all kinds -of Meerzas,[49] or secretaries, and attendants. Amongst the most -essential of the latter were the Paish-Khidmets, or personal servants, -who prepared kellians, or pipes for the Elchee and the gentlemen of -his train. These were mounted, and carried before them, fixed like -holsters, two large cases which contained their kellians, and all the -implements thereunto appertaining. The most extraordinary part of their -equipment was two small iron chafing-dishes filled with charcoal, which -hung by chains, dangling below their stirrups. From these grates they -lighted the kellian, which they held in their hands, presenting their -masters with the end of a long pliant tube, through which the latter -smoked, while the Paish-Khidmets rode a few paces in the rear. - -Our cavalcade always preserved the same order even during our long -night-marches, the tediousness of which suggested that our party wanted -a minstrel to shorten the distance by tales of wonder. This want was -no sooner hinted, than an old groom, called Joozee Beg, came forward -and offered his services. He belonged, he said, to the Zend tribe, and -when its chiefs were kings of Persia he was not neglected. "Moorad Ali -Khan, and Lootf Ali Khan, that miracle of valour," said old Joozee Beg, -"have listened to my voice, when it was exerted to animate[50] their -followers to battle; but these days are gone; a Turkish family wears -the crown of Iran;[51] I am, like others of my race, in indigence and -obscurity, and now recite verses, which princes loved to hear, to men -like myself of low degree; but if the Elchee desires, I will repeat -some lines fit for a soldier to listen to, from the Shah-Nameh of -Firdousee." This prelude gave more pleasure, from its near resemblance -to that of our well-known northern minstrel: - - "No longer courted and caressed, - High placed in hall, a welcome guest, - He poured, to lord and lady gay, - The unpremeditated lay.-- - Old times are past, old manners gone, - A stranger filled the Stuart's throne. - A wandering harper, scorned and poor, - He begged his bread from door to door, - And tuned, to please a peasant's ear, - The harp a king had loved to hear." - -Joozee Beg was told his offer was accepted, and after giving the horse -he led to another, and taking his place in the front of the running -footmen, he began as follows. - -"It is hardly necessary to explain to one with such great knowledge as -the Elchee, and to men of such enlightened understandings as those by -whom he is surrounded, that Siyavesh, son of Ky-Kaoos, King of Persia, -fled into Tartary, and took refuge with Afrasiab, king of that country, -who first gave him his beautiful daughter Feringhees in marriage, and -then put him to death. The widow of the unfortunate prince was left, -with her infant son, the celebrated Ky-Khoosroo,[52] to the persecution -of her tyrannical father, whose conduct provoked the vengeance of the -king and nobles of Persia; but you shall now hear the first battle, in -which the Persians were commanded by that hero Roostem, and the Turks -by their king Afrasiab." - -After this prelude, Joozee Beg cleared his throat, and began to recite -in a voice which, though loud and at times almost deafening, was not -without melody. The following is a literal translation of the fight as -given by our minstrel. - -"Hearken to the sound of the drum from two quarters; the restless -warriors are impatient of delay; the trumpet's bray is heard afar; -and the cymbals, clarions, and fifes of India and China join in the -clang of war; the shout of battle reaches the clouds, and the earth -vibrates to the neighing of steeds. When the noise of the approaching -army was heard upon the plain, the report was conveyed to Roostem, the -avenger.[53] They told him the force of Afrasiab was near; that his -great army rode over the plain as a proud ship rides upon the seas; -that his troops were in number like ants and locusts, and covered -from the eye of the beholder the mountains, plains, and woods. When -Roostem heard that the army of the King of Turan[54] was in sight, he -placed himself in the centre of his force; Zevareh, his brother, was -posted in the rear; Feramerz, his son, was stationed in front; Toos, -with his band, was placed on the right. They were many in number, but -one in heart.[55] Feribooz, the son of Ky-Kaoos,[56] was on the left, -surrounded by a family of valiant men; Gooderz covered the rear with -his relations, who were all free and independent[57] heroes. The air -was darkened with the swords of the brave, when the glorious standard -of Gaveh[58] was unfurled. - -"The leaders of the army of Turan now arrange their shields. Bahaman -commanded their wing: he was surrounded by men as powerful as they were -valiant. The left was led by Rahrem the renowned, and the centre by -King Afrasiab in person. The earth from the hoofs of the horses became -of the colour of an elephant, the air was spotted with lances like the -skin of the leopard. The world had the appearance of a mountain of -iron with a crest of steel. The war-horses neighed, and the standards -fluttered, while the dark-edged swords scattered heads upon the plain. -Peelsem[59] rushed from the centre of the army; his heart was filled -with rage, and his visage covered with frowns. He exclaimed aloud to -the heroes of Iran, 'Where is Roostem? They tell me he is a dragon in -the day of battle.' At this instant a shout was heard from Roostem, -which shook all around. He said to his troops, 'Move not forward from -the spot on which you now are. I go to silence this Peelsem, whose -heart burns with rage, and whose visage is covered with frowns.' -Roostem, foaming with passion, rushed to the front of the battle; -he couched his strong lance, fixed himself in his seat, and raising -his shield to his head, he exclaimed, 'O Peelsem, thou celebrated -warrior, hast thou called me forth that thou mightest consume me with -thy breath?' Thus saying, he struck his lance through Peelsem's body, -and raised him on its point from his saddle, like a light ball. He -continued his charge to the centre of the army of Turan, and casting -the body from the point of his spear, exclaimed, 'Clothe this corpse -of your friend in a pale[60] shroud, for the dark dust has soiled it.' -Now the shout of heroes and the blows of maces are heard, and the -voice of the trumpets shakes the earth. The deep drum sounds from the -back of the elephant to the distance of many miles:[61] the earth was -wearied by the tread of horses. Each pool became like a sea with blood, -and each plain like a mountain from the slain, and every stone was -turned into coral. Many were the proud who were laid low on that day. -Heaven seemed to call for blood, and the breast of a father was devoid -of mercy for his son. From the dark flights of the eagle-feathered -arrows, with their steely points, the air was deprived of the space it -occupied: the clashing of swords reached the skies, and blood flowed -from the boundary of India to the Oxus. The flashing of scimitars and -spears, seen through the thick clouds of dust, appeared like the forked -lightning amid the dark clouds of the firmament. The day was made by -death, black, like the face of an Ethiopian. The numbers of the slain -filled the roads, and the plains were strewed with helmets and shields, -and heads were seen as if lamenting for each other. The hearts of the -army of the King of Turan were broken, and the field of battle became -dark in their sight. 'Our good fortune,' exclaimed Afrasiab to his -troops, 'is no longer awake, but sleepeth.' They left the field covered -with iron, silver, and gold; with helmets, lances, and bucklers. The -poorest in the army of Iran became that day a man of wealth, from the -quantity of ornaments and jewels. - - "'Whosoever desireth to succeed, and to avoid trouble and danger, - will not wander in the path of the wicked.'"[62] - -Here our bard ended his battle, which differs in some stanzas from -my copy of Firdousee; but that is not surprising, as I never knew two -copies of this celebrated work that did not differ in a hundred places. - -The attendants of the mission, particularly those who were of the -ancient Persian tribes, and who hate the Tartars, were delighted with -Joozee Beg's battle. We all expressed our satisfaction, and were -assured by the minstrel that we were kaderdans, judges of merit. But -his delight appeared incomplete, until he heard the Elchee add to his -thanks an order for a present of a few piastres. He then said he was -"happy--he was honoured;" that he had often heard of the fame of the -English nation, but was now, from personal observation, quite satisfied -they were the first people upon earth. - -The journey from Shiraz to Isfahan abounds with remains of the -former glory of Persia. The greatest is the far-famed Persepolis -of the Greeks, the Elemais of the Hebrews, and the Istakhar of the -Persians. Every traveller has described these magnificent ruins, which -the natives of the country distinguish by the name of Chehl-Menar -(forty[63] pillars), and Tekht-e-Jemsheed (throne of Jemsheed). Some -conjecture that it was formerly a palace, others are quite positive it -must have been a temple. I am much too wise to venture on speculations -which have bewildered so many learned men. My reader must therefore be -satisfied with a conversation I had upon this abstruse subject with -some of my fellow-travellers, when I visited these monuments of ancient -grandeur. - -"This building," said Aga Meer, "was the house of Solomon, at least so -I have read in the History of Shiraz." "And what did the foolish writer -of that book know about Solomon?" said Mahomed Hoosein Khan; "but the -author, I suppose, concluded, that because Solomon was the wisest of -men, he must choose Persia as his residence; and every Persian will -agree in such a conclusion." "No doubt," said the mild Aga Meer, either -not understanding the little nabob's sarcasm at the vanity of his -countrymen, or not wishing to enter into farther discussion. - -"People are divided," said the Khan, pleased with his own sally, -"whether this was a palace or a temple; if it was built and inhabited -by Jemsheed, it was probably both; for he says, in the Shah-nameh, 'By -the Divine favour, I am both a sovereign and a priest;'[64] and if this -first and most wonderful man of Persia studied his ease and convenience -half as much as his countrymen now do, it is most probable, that, to -save himself trouble, he would join his palace and his temple together." - -"You Europeans," continued Khan Sahib, turning to me, "believe that -Alexander, to please a beautiful lady, set fire to this palace in -a spirit of mischief; we Mahomedans have the consolation to think -this proud abode of unbelievers was destroyed when our first caliphs -conquered Persia, through a spirit of holiness. It was a rule," said -he, smiling, "of the first pious propagators of our religion, always to -give to infidels an earnest in this world of what they were to expect -in the next; so they and their profane works were included in one -common sentence of destruction." - -Though neither the Indian Moonshee, Mahomed Hoosein, nor the Persian -Meerza, liked the levity with which my little friend treated such a -serious subject; they saw he was in too lively a vein to expect to -check him, but they looked grave. This, he observed, and to change the -subject, asked me what I thought was the meaning of a figure, to which -he pointed, half of whose body appeared rising out of a circle, and -to which wings were attached? I told him, he could not apply to one -who was more ignorant of such subjects than myself, but I would tell -him what the learned of Europe had conjectured regarding this mystical -figure. - -The detail was long, and embraced a variety of opinions; but I -concluded by observing, that the figure was believed to be that of a -Ferooher, or spirit, which, according to the doctrine of Zoroaster, is -an associate of an existing being, with whose soul or spiritual part it -is united before birth and after death. - -"These Feroohers," said I, "were sometimes invoked as guardian angels: -they were male and female, and were not, in their connection with this -earth, limited to human creatures; some of the race belonged to the -vegetable world. Trees had their Feroohers." I was becoming more than -learned, I was mystical, and on the point of showing some striking -analogies between these aerial spirits of the ancient Persians, and the -Sylphs, the Dryads, and the Hamadryads of the Greeks, when Khan Sahib, -anxious to make amends with his Mahomedan friends, for the slight which -he saw they supposed he had put upon the first caliphs, interrupted me -by saying-- - -"Well, God knows! however we may question the humanity, if not the -policy, of extirpating whole races of men, because they did not believe -exactly as we do, assuredly the founders of our holy religion have -merit in putting an end to Feroohers, and all such trumpery as you have -been talking about. There is enough of wicked flesh and blood in this -world to give an honest man trouble and alarm, without his being scared -in a wood, or frightened in his sleep by ghosts, spirits, and demons. -The Glorious Volume,[65] thank heaven, has put an end to all these -gentry. But, after all, I really wish (looking round at the ruins) that -while it conferred this benefit upon us, and gave us more space in the -world, by the removal of some incorrigible infidels, it had spared some -of their best works, if it were only as specimens of their folly and -pride." - -As he was concluding this sentence, Hajee Hoosein came from the Elchee -with pipes and coffee for our refreshment. "You were speaking of good -works," said the Hajee. "I was speaking of works," said the Khan. -"It is all the same," replied the Hajee, determined not to lose an -opportunity of showing his reading: "works are everything in this -world, as Sadee says--'Alas, for him that's gone, and done no work! The -drum of departure has beat, and his burden is not made up.'"[66] - -The admiration given to the expression and sentiment of the moralist -of Persia did not prevent a laugh at the manner in which it was -applied. The Hajee, however, was not displeased with our mirth; he was -too full of Sadee's apophthegms and stanzas, and too eager to mix in -conversation, to be particular as to the time or place in which he gave -utterance to his recollections; and their want of application often -rendered them more entertaining. - -We returned to our tents with a resolution of completing our -knowledge of the wonders of this place, by a visit to the famous rocks -in the vicinity of Persepolis, which are called "The Sculptures of -Roostem."[67] - -Though there can be little doubt, from the similarity of these figures -to those on the Sassanian coins, that they have been made to perpetuate -the glory of the first sovereigns of that family; yet, when I on the -ensuing day mentioned this conjecture to my Persian friends, I found I -was regarded as an envious Frank, who wanted to detract from their hero -Roostem, with whose fame all that is valiant, powerful, or wonderful in -this country is associated: and whose name has been given to this, as -it has been to all other sculptures representing any warlike deeds, of -which the precise history is unknown. - -In order to make amends for the errors of my knowledge, I commenced a -panegyric on their favourite warrior. "We have," I said, "an account -from the Greeks of a celebrated hero of theirs called Hercules, whom -they have deified, and whom many of our learned confound with Roostem; -but this Hercules was, in my opinion, hardly fit to carry the slippers -of your hero." - -"The Greeks talk of the club of Hercules, but what was his club to the -bull-headed mace with which Roostem destroyed whole armies? Hercules, -when an infant, crushed a couple of serpents; but Roostem, when a -child, brained a furious elephant: Hercules shot his enemy, Ephialtes, -in one eye; but Roostem did twice as much, for with a forked arrow he -sealed in eternal darkness both eyes of the prince Esfendiar: Hercules -wore a lion's hide; Roostem had, according to Firdousee, a vest made -of the skins of several lions. Both heroes had supernatural aid, but -Roostem seldom required it; for he was endowed with the strength of one -hundred and twenty elephants;[68] and out of fifty thousand horses one -only, the celebrated Reksh, was found capable of bearing his weight. - -"Hercules," I continued, "we are told by the Greeks (who, however, -are great romancers), accomplished twelve labours; but what are these -compared to the Heft Kh'an, or Seven Stages of Roostem? Besides, it is -doubted whether Hercules could ride--he certainly had no horse of any -fame; whereas Reksh excelled all horses as much as his rider did all -men." - -This moderate and just tribute to the hero of Persia quite restored me -to the good graces of my friends, who concurred with me in requesting -our old minstrel, who had charge of the horses of some of our party, -to recount to us the story of the Heft Kh'an, or Seven Stages of -Roostem. He could not, he said, recite these great events as written -in the page of the immortal Firdousee; but if we would be satisfied, -he could give us the tale in prose, as he had heard it read from the -Shemsheer-Khanee.[69] Being assured that what he recollected of the -story would be quite enough, and his audience having seated themselves -beneath the sculptured rocks, he began as follows: - -"Persia was at peace, and prosperous; but its king, Ky-Kaoos, could -never remain at rest. A favourite singer gave him one day an animated -account of the beauties of the neighbouring kingdom of Mazenderan;[70] -its ever blooming roses, its melodious nightingales, its verdant -plains, its mountains shaded with lofty trees, and adorned to their -summits with flowers which perfumed the air, its clear murmuring -rivulets, and, above all, its lovely damsels and valiant warriors. - -"All these were described to the sovereign in such glowing colours, -that he quite lost his reason, and declared he should never be happy -till his power extended over a country so favoured by nature. It was -in vain that his wisest ministers and most attached nobles dissuaded -him from so hazardous an enterprise as that of invading a region, which -had, besides other defenders, a number of Deevs, or demons, who, acting -under their renowned chief Deev-e-Seffeed, or the White Demon, had -hitherto defeated all enemies." - -"Is the Deev-e-Seffeed," said I, stopping the narrator, and turning -to Aga Meer, "believed by modern Persians to have been a supernatural -being, as his name implies? or is this deemed a poetical fiction of -Firdousee to describe a formidable warrior, perhaps a more northern -prince, and therefore of a fairer complexion?" "Why," said the Meer, -"it is with us almost a crime to refuse belief to a single line -Firdousee has written; but though there is no doubt he has given the -account of these Deevs as he found it, in the public records from which -he composed his great historical poem; we find in some of our best -dictionaries, such as the Jehangeeree, and Boorhan-e-Katih, the word -Deev rendered 'a valiant warrior,' which shows that the learned authors -of these works entertained the same notion as you do." - -"If I had written a dictionary," said Mahomed Hoosein Khan, "I should -have solved the difficulty by explaining, that Deev was a man who -fought like a devil." - -This little sally finished our grave disquisition; and Joozee Beg, -who seemed not a little impatient at the interruption, resumed his -narration. - -"Ky-Kaoos," as I said before, "would not listen to his nobles, who in -despair sent for old Zal, the father of Roostem, and prince of Seestan. -Zal came and used all his efforts, but in vain; the monarch was -involved in clouds of pride, and closed a discussion he had with Zal, -by exclaiming, 'The Creator of the world is my friend; the chief of the -Deevs is my prey.'[71] This impious boasting satisfied Zal he could do -no good; and he even refused to become regent of Persia in the absence -of Ky-Kaoos, but promised to aid with his counsel. - -"The king departed to anticipated conquest; but the prince of -Mazenderan summoned his forces, and above all the Deev-e-Seffeed and -his band. They came at his call: a great battle[72] ensued, in which -the Persians were completely defeated. Ky-Kaoos was made prisoner and -confined in a strong fortress under the guard of a hundred Deevs, -commanded by Arjeng, who was instructed to ask the Persian monarch -every morning how he liked the roses, nightingales, flowers, trees, -verdant meadows, shady mountains, clear streams, beautiful damsels, and -valiant warriors of Mazenderan? - -"The news of this disaster soon spread over Persia, and -notwithstanding the disgust of old Zal at the headstrong folly of his -monarch, he was deeply afflicted at the tale of his misfortune and -disgrace. He sent for Roostem, to whom he said, 'Go, my son, and with -thy single arm, and thy good horse, Reksh, release our sovereign.' -Roostem instantly obeyed. There were two roads, but he chose the -nearest, though it was reported to be by far the most difficult and -dangerous. Now," said Joozee Beg, "it would occupy the whole day if -I was to relate at length the adventures of the heft khan: a short -account of the obstacles which the hero overcame at each will suffice. - -"Fatigued with his first day's journey, Roostem lay down to sleep, -having turned Reksh loose to graze in a neighbouring meadow, where -he was attacked by a furious lion; but this wonderful horse, after a -short contest, struck his antagonist to the ground with a blow from -his fore-hoof, and completed the victory by seizing the throat of the -royal animal with his teeth. When Roostem awoke, he was surprised and -enraged. He desired Reksh never again to attempt, unaided, such an -encounter. 'Hadst thou been slain,' asked he of the intelligent brute, -'how should I have accomplished my enterprise?' - -"At the second stage Roostem had nearly died of thirst, but his prayers -to the Almighty were heard: a fawn appeared, as if to be his guide, -and following it, he was conducted to a clear fountain, where, after -regaling on the flesh of a wild ass,[73] which he had killed with his -bow, he lay down to sleep. In the middle of the night a monstrous -serpent, seventy yards in length, came out of its hiding-place, and -made at the hero, who was awaked by the neighing of Reksh; but the -serpent had crept back to his hiding-place, and Roostem seeing no -danger, abused his faithful horse for disturbing his repose. Another -attempt of the serpent was defeated in the same way; but as the monster -had again concealed himself, Roostem lost all patience with Reksh, -whom he threatened to put to death if he again awaked him by any such -unseasonable noises. The faithful steed, fearing his master's rage, but -strong in his attachment, instead of neighing when the serpent again -made his appearance, sprung upon it, and commenced a furious contest! -Roostem, hearing the noise, started up and joined in the combat. The -serpent darted at him, but he avoided it; and, while his noble horse -seized their enemy by the back, the hero cut off its head with his -sword. - -"When the serpent was slain, Roostem contemplated its enormous size -with amazement, and, with that piety which always distinguished him, -returned thanks to the Almighty for his miraculous escape. - -"Next day, as Roostem sat by a fountain, he saw a beautiful damsel -regaling herself with wine. He approached her, accepted her invitation -to partake of the beverage, and clasped her in his arms as if she had -been an angel. It happened, in the course of their conversation, that -the Persian hero mentioned the name of the great God he adored. At the -sound of that sacred word the fair features and shape of the female -changed, and she became black, ugly, and deformed. The astonished -Roostem seized her, and, after binding her hands, bid her declare who -she was. 'I am a sorceress,' was the reply, 'and have been employed by -the evil-spirit Aharman for thy destruction: but save my life, and I am -powerful to do thee service.' 'I make no compact with the devil or his -agents,' said the hero, and cut her in twain. He again poured forth his -soul in thanksgiving to God for his deliverance. - -"On his fourth stage Roostem lost his way. While wandering about he -came to a clear rivulet, on the banks of which he lay down to take -some repose, having first turned Reksh loose into a field of grain. A -gardener who had charge of it came and awoke the hero, telling him, -in an insolent tone, that he would soon suffer for his temerity, as -the field in which his horse was feeding belonged to a pehloovan, or -warrior, called Oulad. Roostem, always irascible, but particularly so -when disturbed in his slumbers, jumped up, tore off the gardener's -ears, and gave him a blow with his fist that broke his nose and teeth. -'Take these marks of my temper to your master,' he said, 'and tell him -to come here, and he shall have a similar welcome.' - -"Oulad, when informed of what had passed, was excited to fury, and -prepared to assail the Persian hero, who, expecting him, had put on -his armour, and mounted Reksh. His appearance so dismayed Oulad, that -he dared not venture on the combat till he had summoned his adherents. -They all fell upon Roostem at once; but the base-born caitiffs were -scattered like chaff before the wind: many were slain, others fled, -among whom was their chief. Him Roostem came up with at the fifth -stage, and having thrown his noose[74] over him, took him prisoner. -Oulad, in order to save his life, not only gave him full information -of the place where his sovereign was confined, and of the strength -of the Deev-e-Seffeed, but offered to give the hero every aid in the -accomplishment of his perilous enterprise. This offer was accepted, and -he proved a most useful auxiliary. - -"On the sixth day they saw in the distance the city of Mazenderan, -near which the Deev-e-Seffeed resided. Two chieftains, with numerous -attendants, met them; and one had the audacity to ride up to Roostem, -and seize him by the belt. That chief's fury at this insolence was -unbounded; he disdained, however, to use his arms against such an -enemy, but seizing the miscreant's head, wrenched it from the body, -and hurled it at his companions, who fled in terror and dismay at this -terrible proof of the hero's prowess. - -"Roostem proceeded, after this action, with his guide to the castle -where the king was confined. The Deevs who guarded it were asleep, -and Ky-Kaoos was found in a solitary cell, chained to the ground. He -recognised Roostem, and bursting into tears, pressed his deliverer -to his bosom. Roostem immediately began to knock off his chains: the -noise occasioned by this awoke the Deevs, whose leader, Beedar-Reng, -advanced to seize Roostem; but the appearance and threats of the latter -so overawed him, that he consented to purchase his own safety by the -instant release of the Persian king and all his followers. - -"After this achievement Roostem proceeded to the last and greatest of -his labours, the attack of the Deev-e-Seffeed. Oulad told him, that -the Deevs watched and feasted during the night, but slept during the -heat of the day, hating (according to our narrator) the sun-beams. -Roostem, as he advanced, saw an immense army drawn out: he thought it -better, before he attacked them, to refresh himself by some repose. -Having laid himself down, he soon fell into a sound sleep, and at -daylight he awoke quite refreshed. As soon as the sun became warm, -he rushed into the camp. The heavy blows of his mace soon awoke the -surprised and slumbering guards of the Deev-e-Seffeed: they collected -in myriads, hoping to impede his progress; but all in vain. The rout -became general, and none escaped but those who fled from the field of -battle. - -"When this army was dispersed Roostem went in search of the -Deev-e-Seffeed, who, ignorant of the fate of his followers, slumbered -in the recess of a cavern, the entrance to which looked so dark and -gloomy, that the Persian hero hesitated whether he should advance, -but the noise of his approach had roused his enemy, who came forth, -clothed in complete armour. His appearance was terrible; but Roostem, -recommending his soul to God, struck a desperate blow, which separated -the leg of the Deev from his body. This," said Joozee Beg, "would -on common occasions have terminated the contest, but far different -was the result on the present. Irritated to madness by the loss of a -limb, the monster seized his enemy in his arms, and endeavoured to -throw him down. The struggle was for some time doubtful; but Roostem, -collecting all his strength, by a wondrous effort dashed his foe to the -ground, and seizing him by one of the horns, unsheathed his dagger, and -stabbed him to the heart.[75] The Deev-e-Seffeed instantly expired; and -Roostem, on looking round to the entrance of the cavern, from whence -the moment before he had seen numberless Deevs issuing to the aid of -their lord, perceived they were all dead. Oulad, who stood at a prudent -distance from the scene of combat, now advanced and informed the hero, -that the lives of all the Deevs depended upon that of their chief: -when he was slain, the spell which created and preserved this band was -broken, and they all expired. - -"Roostem," said our narrator, "found little difficulty, after these -seven days of toil, of danger, and of glory, in compelling Mazenderan -to submit to Persia. The king of the country was slain, and Oulad was -appointed its governor as a reward for his fidelity. - -"It would weary you," said Joozee Beg, "were I to detail all the -misfortunes and distresses into which Ky-Kaoos subsequently brought -himself, by a pride and folly which were only equalled by the wisdom -and valour of Zal and his son Roostem; but one instance will suffice." - -Hajee Hoosein, who was in attendance, whispered to me, "It is true, as -Sadee says, 'A wise man does not always know when to begin, but a fool -never knows when to stop.'" I smiled, but shook my head, and Joozee -proceeded. - -"The event I am about to narrate," said he, "appears so wonderful, that -I should doubt its truth, if I did not know it was written in the book -I before told you of. - -"The success of his arms had raised Ky-Kaoos to the very plenitude -of power; not only men but Deevs obeyed his mandates. The latter he -employed in building palaces of crystal, emeralds, and rubies, till at -last they became quite tired of their toil and abject condition. They -sought, therefore, to destroy him; and to effect this they consulted -with the devil, who, to forward the object, instructed a Deev, called -Dizjkheem, to go to Ky-Kaoos, and raise in his mind a passion for -astronomy, and to promise him a nearer view of the celestial bodies -than had ever yet been enjoyed by mortal eyes. The Deev fulfilled his -commission with such success, that the king became quite wild with a -desire to attain perfection in this sublime science. The devil then -instructed Dizjkheem to train some young vultures to carry a throne -upwards: this was done by placing spears round the throne, on the -points of which pieces of flesh were fixed in view of the vultures who -were fastened at the bottom. These voracious birds, in their efforts to -reach the meat, raised the throne--" - -Joozee Beg here stopt, seeing me hardly able to suppress a laugh. -"You do not credit this story," he said. "You mistake," I replied; "I -am only struck with a remarkable coincidence. In a sister kingdom of -England, called Ireland, the natives, according to a learned author, -trick their horses into a trot, by binding a wisp of hay to the -end of a pole to which they are harnessed, and, like your vultures, -they constantly strive but never attain their desire: their efforts -to reach the food fulfil the object of the ingenious author of this -useful invention. He was only a mortal, however, and could do no more -than impel a vehicle along the earth; the scheme of the devil is more -sublime, and we shall, I trust, hear of Ky-Kaoos reaching the seventh -heaven!" "He was not so fortunate," said Joozee Beg; "for though he -mounted rapidly for some time, the vultures became exhausted, and -finding their efforts to reach the meat hopeless, discontinued them; -this altered the direction and equilibrium of the machine, and it -tossed to and fro. Ky-Kaoos would have been cast headlong and killed -had he not clung to it. The vultures not being able to disengage -themselves, flew an immense way, and at last landed the affrighted -monarch in one of the woods of China. Armies marched in every direction -to discover and release the sovereign, who, it was believed, had again -fallen into the hands of Deevs. He was at last found, and restored to -his capital. Roostem, we are told, upbraided his folly, saying - - 'Have you managed your affairs so well on earth - That you must needs try your hand in those of heaven?'"[76] - -Here the tale of wonder ceased, and a learned dissertation commenced -upon the genius and writings of Firdousee. It is only justice to this -great poet to observe, that the exuberance of his fertile imagination, -though it led him to amplify and adorn his subject, never made him -false to the task he had undertaken--that of embodying in his great -work all that remained of the fabulous and historical traditions -and writings of his country. We cannot have a stronger proof of his -adherence to this principle than his passing over, almost in silence, -the four centuries which elapsed between the death of Alexander the -Great and the rise of Ardesheer or Artaxerxes, the founder of the -Sassanian dynasty. Adverting to the history of the Parthian kings, he -observes, "When both their root and branches ceased to flourish, their -deeds remained unrecorded by any experienced historian; and nothing but -their names have I either heard or perused in the annals of the kings -of Persia." - -I mentioned to my friends, as we were leaving the ruins, the -reflections which occurred to me on these points, anticipating their -approbation of the justice I did Firdousee, but I was disappointed. -Mahomed Hoosein, the Indian Moonshee, alone seemed to concur. "It is -very just," was pronounced by him in an under tone. Meerza Aga Meer -said faintly, "Perhaps you are right." Khan Sahib had a half-suppressed -smile at the scrape he saw I was in, from my qualified praise of the -popular historian, as well as poet, of Persia; while almost all the -natives of that country, and there were many of the party, evidently -considered my criticism as bordering on want of faith in an author whom -they had almost worshipped from infancy. I overheard Hajee Hoosein, -to whom all the lesser persons in the mission listen as to an oracle, -whisper to one of his friends, "Sadee says, 'A wise man does not bring -a candle to light the sun.'" - -I left Persepolis with regret that my visit was so short; but the -same ardent desire to examine this celebrated ruin was not felt by -all our party. One of my companions, now no more, a gallant soldier -and most devoted sportsman, was induced, by the game he found on the -neighbouring plain, to delay his inspection of the palace of Jemsheed -to the last day of our stay. On the morning we went to bid farewell to -these remains of ancient grandeur, he promised to follow, but never -came. When we interrogated him as to the cause, he answered, with that -simplicity which belonged to his manly character, "I could not help it: -I was on the way, but found a fine duck in the stream that runs from -the mountain; it flew in a contrary direction, and I had to follow it -several miles before I got a shot. There it is," said he, pointing to -the bird which lay beside his gun, in a corner of the tent. - -FOOTNOTES: - -[49] The word Meerza, when prefixed to a name, implies a secretary or -civilian; when it follows, it designates a prince. - -[50] It has long been the custom in Persia for persons to recite -animating verses, from the Shah-Nameh, at the commencement of, and -during a battle. The late king, Aga Mahomed, was particularly fond of -this usage, and bestowed marks of his favour on such minstrels. - -[51] Iran is the ancient name of Persia, as Turan is of Tartary. - -[52] The celebrated Ky-Khoosroo of the Persians is the Cyrus of the -Greeks. - -[53] Roostem Keeneh-Kh'ah. The hero has this epithet as he was desirous -of avenging the death of Siyavesh, murdered by Afrasiab. - -[54] Tartary. - -[55] "Their swords are a thousand, their bosoms are one."--Lochiel's -Warning. - -[56] Kaoos was at this time King of Iran or Persia. - -[57] The term in the original is "Azadigan," which means men free or -independent, that are not subject to the authority of others: heroes -who went more with the cause than the leader. - -[58] This famous standard was a blacksmith's apron set in jewels, and -was long the imperial standard of Persia. Gaveh was a blacksmith; he -overthrew the cruel tyrant Zohak, and placed Feridoon on the throne of -Persia. When collecting followers, he carried his apron as the standard -of revolt against Zohak. This apron remained the standard of the empire -till taken by Saad-ben-wakas, who commanded the Mahomedan army that -conquered Persia. - -[59] The brother of Peeran-Weeseh, the favourite vizier and counsellor -of Afrasiab. - -[60] The word means pale or yellow, and has an allusion to fear, of -which that colour is the emblem in Persia. - -[61] The word "meel" in Persian, is nearly our mile. - -[62] This last stanza is a reflection of the poet, referring to the -injustice of the cause of the Tartars. - -[63] Forty, both in India and Persia, is used to express an indefinite -number or quantity. - -[64] Men-em gooft ba-ferra-e-Eezidee Be-hem sheheryaree be-hem Moobidee. - -[65] Mes'hef-e-Mejeed, a pious allusion to the Koran. - -[66] - "Heif', ber an kih reft oo kar ne-sakht - Koos-e-rihlet zed oo bar ne-sakht!" - -[67] Neksha-e-Roostem. - -[68] This, in the present _vapouring_ age, would be called a hundred -and twenty elephant-power; but I dare not take a liberty with my text -when recording facts. - -[69] The Shemsheer-Khanee is a prose abridgment of the Shah-Nameh, into -which are introduced some of the finest passages of Firdousee's poetry. - -[70] The ancient Hyrcania. - -[71] - "Jehan-afireenendeh yar-e-men est - Ser-e-nereh deevan shikar-e-men est." - -[72] It was in this battle that the armies were, according to -Firdousee, enveloped in sudden darkness, as had been foretold by a -magician. The mention of this fact proves it to be the same action -during which, Herodotus tells us, a total eclipse of the sun took -place, as had been foretold by Thales the Milesian.--Vide Hist of -Persia, vol. i. p. 3. - -[73] Goor. - -[74] The kemend or noose of the ancient Persians appears to be the -lasso of the modern South Americans, and was employed to snare -prisoners as well as wild cattle. It is well known and often used in -India by some tribes of robbers and murderers of that country, who cast -it over the head of the unwary traveller with an expertness that would -do credit to a native of the Pampas. - -[75] A representation of this combat is given in Dibdin's Decameron, -vol. iii, p. 475. - -[76] - "Too kar-e-zemeen-ra nikoo sakktee - Kih ber kar-e-asman-neez perdakhtee." - - - - -CHAPTER XIII. - - Travellers and Antiquaries--Wild - Ass--Hawking--Mader-e-Suliman--Akleed--Mirrors--Mehdee - Khan--Isfahan--Persian Citizens and Peasantry--Shah Abbas the - Great--Haroon-oor-Rasheed--Nethenz. - - -The love of travel, visiting the remains of former grandeur, and of -tracing the history of ancient nations, which is so common in Europe, -causes wonder in the Asiatics, amongst whom there is little or no -spirit of curiosity or speculation. Men who live in ill-governed and -unquiet communities can spare no time for such objects from the active -occupations incident to their place in society. In better regulated -and more settled governments, the state, by divesting men of all -immediate care respecting life and property, almost compels those of -its subjects whose minds are active, and whose time is at their own -disposal, to provide for themselves such a portion of vicissitude and -trouble as shall overcome that apathy and inertness into which they -might otherwise fall. From these motives they court toil and care, and -sometimes danger, to make them relish the feast of existence. - -Some gentlemen had accompanied the mission whose chief object was to -see Persepolis and other remains of ancient splendour. These motives -were unintelligible to the Persians. The day we left the ruins, Aga -Meer, as we were riding together, expressed his surprise at men -devoting their time to such pursuits. "What can be the use," said he, -"of travelling so far and running so many risks to look at ruined -houses and palaces, when they might stay so comfortably at home?" I -replied, with some feeling of contempt for my friend's love of quiet, -"If the state of a man's circumstances, or that of his country, does -not find him work, he must find it for himself, or go to sleep and be -good for nothing. Antiquaries," I continued, "to whose praiseworthy -researches you allude, by directing, through their labours and -talents, our attention to the great names and magnificent monuments -of former days, aid in improving the sentiments and taste of a nation. -Besides, though no antiquary myself, I must ever admire a study which -carries man beyond self. I love those elevating thoughts that lead -me to dwell with delight on the past, and to look forward with happy -anticipations to the future. We are told by some that such feelings -are mere allusions, and the cold practical philosopher may, on the -ground of their inutility, desire to remove them from men's minds, to -make way for his own machinery; but he could as soon argue me out of -my existence as take from me the internal proof which such feelings -convey, both as to my origin and destination." - -"There goes a Goor-kher" (wild ass), said Mahomed Beg, the -Jelloodar,[77] who was riding close behind; and away he galloped. Away -I galloped also, leaving unfinished one of the finest speeches about -the past and the future that was ever commenced. - -We pursued the goor-kher several miles, when we gave up the chase as -hopeless. On our return, however, we found plenty of other game; five -hares were killed by our dogs and three by hawks. When at Shiraz, the -Elchee had received a present of a very fine Shah-Baz, or royal falcon. -Before going out I had been amused at seeing Nutee Beg, our head -falconer, a man of great experience in his department, put upon this -bird a pair of leathers, which he fitted to its thighs with as much -care as if he had been the tailor of a fashionable horseman. I inquired -the reason of so unusual a proceeding. "You will learn that," said the -consequential master of the hawks, "when you see our sport:" and I was -convinced, at the period he predicted, of the old fellow's knowledge of -his business. - -The first hare seized by the falcon was very strong, and the ground -rough. While the bird kept the claws of one foot fastened in the back -of its prey, the other was dragged along the ground till it had an -opportunity to lay hold of a tuft of grass, by which it was enabled -to stop the course of the hare, whose efforts to escape, I do think, -would have torn the hawk asunder, if it had not been provided with the -leathern defences which have been mentioned. - -The next time the falcon was flown gave us a proof of that -extraordinary courage which its whole appearance, and particularly its -eye, denoted. It had stopt and quite disabled the second hare by the -first pounce, when two greyhounds, which had been slipped by mistake, -came up, and endeavoured to seize it. They were, however, repulsed -by the falcon, whose boldness and celerity in attacking the dogs and -securing its prey excited our admiration and astonishment. - -We had some excellent sport with smaller hawks and partridges. I was -particularly pleased with one bird which kept hovering over our heads -till the game was sprung, and then descending like a shot, struck its -prey to the ground. - -We made three marches from Persepolis before we came to any remarkable -place; we then reached some ruins called Mader-e-Suliman, or the mother -of Solomon. These have been almost as much dwelt upon by travellers as -those of Persepolis, and conjectures are equally various. Many insist -that this is the tomb of Bathsheba, the wife of Uriah, the wife of -David, and mother of Solomon. To this the only objection is, the belief -or fact that neither Solomon nor his mother were ever within a thousand -miles of this spot while living, and therefore it was unlikely to be -chosen as the burial-place of the latter when dead. Another account -states it to be the tomb of Suliman, the tenth caliph of the race of -Ali; but against this conclusion there is decisive evidence in the -very ancient style of the architecture and the inscriptions, which -are in the arrow-headed character. Some antiquaries, puzzled by these -objections, have gone back to remote ages, and determined it to be -Pasargadae the resting-place of Cyrus. I could only stay a few hours -at this tomb, otherwise this very important question might have been -decided. - -The next place on our route meriting notice is the village of Akleed, -where the first mission halted for some days. It is situated in a -beautiful valley, surrounded by hills and watered by clear rivulets. -The gardens and groves in this town and its vicinity give it an -inviting appearance to a traveller in Persia, which, with the exception -of Mazenderan,[78] and other provinces on the Caspian, may generally -be described as an arid country, without one great river, and with few -perennial streams.[79] - -If the report of the inhabitants of Akleed is to be believed, disease -is almost unknown. A man upwards of eighty, who was praising the place -to me, said, "We die of old age, but seldom from other causes. Then -look round and see what a charming place it is. I have heard a Moollah -assert," he added, "that our town is called Akleed or Kaleed (the key), -and, on account of its beauty and salubrity, is considered as a key to -paradise." - -"But you suffer from oppression like others?" "Why," said he, "we are -not exempt from troubles, but these come only now and then, whilst we -always enjoy our pleasant habitations. We were in terrible alarm," he -continued, "when we first heard of your approach; we were told that the -Elchee was carrying a number of pier-glasses of immense[80] dimensions, -as a present to the king; and that the inhabitants of the country, -between Abusheher and Shiraz, were not only seized and compelled to -carry these mirrors, but that all the principal men in the villages -through which they had passed were to be sent to Teheran and punished, -because some of them had been broken. - -"This you may suppose occasioned no small fright, particularly as we -knew the Elchee's Mehmandar would take advantage of the pretext of -carrying these presents to commit every species of extortion. You -may therefore consider our joy to hear that the Elchee, to save the -inhabitants from such sufferings, had resolved to have the mirrors -carried by mules. We were, however, not quite relieved from our fears -till the whole passed through this place some days ago. Every mirror in -its case was like a Tekht-e-Revan (or travelling litter), with shafts -before and behind for the mules, by which it was carried. Then, besides -twenty or thirty Ferrashes to take care of these precious glasses, -there was a party of horse to protect them; and the Elchee's head -carpenter, Randall Beg,[81] dressed like one of us, and with a fine -beard, rode at the head of the cavalcade." - -The story of the old chronicler of Akleed was perfectly correct; and -what was more uncommon in a Persian narration, no way exaggerated. -The Elchee, though he incurred considerable expense in providing for -the carriage of these unwieldy but valuable articles, acquired more -popularity, by the relief he gave to the poorer inhabitants on his -route by this act, and by insisting on paying for the Soorat, or -provisions furnished to the mission, than by any others during his -residence in Persia. - -We passed several large camps of Eelyats in our march between -Persepolis and Isfahan. I had formerly seen enough of this race to -satisfy me, that even the lowest of them were not only in a condition -which freed them from want, but that they enjoyed a consideration in -the community, or rather family, to which they belonged, that could not -but contribute to their happiness. Their union and their bold character -gives to this class of the population of Persia great security; and -even when the tribe happens from political motives to be divided, which -is often the case, the spirit of individuals remains unbroken; and if -they are of a race which has reputation for courage and attachment, -it is not unfrequent to see them in the service of those by whom -they have been subdued; nor do they in such case conceal the hostile -feelings they still cherish against their conquerors, who are usually -indifferent to the sentiments they entertain or express, while in their -service, trusting for their fidelity to certain ties and principles, -which, as connected with personal honour, are seldom violated by men of -this description. - -These reflections forcibly recurred to my mind, from a conversation -I had, the day we left Akleed, with an old soldier of the tribe of -Maaffee, who was in the service of our Mehmandar. - -"I have seen," said he to me, "nearly the whole of the contest between -the families of Zend and Kajir. I belong to a tribe firmly attached to -the former. I fought for them. Our princes were heroes in action, but -they wanted judgment; besides fortune deserted them, and favoured these -cruel Kajirs." I looked round; and observing my surprise, he instantly -exclaimed, "What do I care who knows my sentiments? Was ever man more -cruel than Aga Mahomed Khan? did not his wanton atrocities exceed all -belief? I will tell you one," he added, "that I myself witnessed. - -"After the last and bravest of our princes, Lootf Ali Khan, was -betrayed and barbarously put to death, his Meerza, a respectable Syed -of the family of the Prophet, was brought before Aga Mahomed. 'Why did -you dare,' said the enraged monarch, 'to write me fermans?'[82] 'I did -so,' said the Meerza, 'because the fear of Lootf Ali Khan, who was near -me, was at the moment greater than of you, who were distant; but I -trust to your clemency for pardon.' 'Cut off his hands and put out his -eyes!' was the savage mandate, which was immediately obeyed. - -"Next morning this Meerza's son was brought a prisoner to camp. He was -sent for by the king, who addressing him, said, 'Go to your father; -tell him the Prophet has reproached me for my injustice to him; I will -do what I can to make amends: what does he want?' 'To go and pass the -remainder of his life at the tomb of the holy Ali at Kerbela,' said -the youth. 'Let him depart,' replied the king, 'as soon as his wounds -will permit: give him from me these three hundred tomans, and say that -horses, mules, and tents will be provided for his accommodation. Inform -him, I have repented of my inconsiderate violence, and ask him to pray -for me.' - -"Now," said my friend, the Maaffee, "many think Aga Mahomed was sincere -in his remorse; but I believe he was only cunning. He saw that every -one was shocked at his horrible treatment of a holy Syed, and he was -anxious to regain their good opinion. Nobody knew so well as that wily -fox how to manage men. But after all," he concluded, "bad as he was in -other respects, he was the soldier's friend, and so far better than his -nephew and successor." - -"Assuredly," said I, "you cannot accuse the present king of cruelty; -he appears to me remarkable for his lenity." "What is the use of his -lenity, if he neither gives his soldiers money himself, nor allows them -to take it from others? These Kajirs," he continued, in no under tone, -and with fifty people within hearing, "are a sad set, and we shall -never have good times again while they keep the throne." - -Next day I spoke privately to this old soldier, and told him I was -afraid he might do himself injury by the manner in which he had so -openly expressed himself. "Do not be alarmed," he said; "there is now -no prince of the Zend family in Persia to compete for the crown. The -Kajirs and their adherents, therefore, take little heed of language -that can do no harm; besides, the king is, as you say, a merciful man, -and he has the good sense to know he cannot alter the feelings of -tribes like ours. He knows, also, that however we may talk, we shall -prove true to those we serve, provided we are treated with confidence -and consideration." - -The first mission had halted at the village of Taaghoon, within a -short distance of Isfahan, where we met a chief called Meerza Mehdee -Khan, who had served under Lord Clive in Bengal. He spoke in raptures -of that great man; from whom, as well as from General Carnac and -others, he produced testimonials highly honourable to his character. -He had retired, with the fortune he made in India, to this, his native -village. I was particularly pleased with this old gentleman, and on our -second mission, I inquired for him, but regretted to find he had been -dead two years. His son had succeeded to his property and situation as -head of Taaghoon, and appeared, from his conduct, to have inherited his -father's sentiments of regard for the English. - -Nothing can exceed in beauty and fertility, the country in the vicinity -of Isfahan, and the first appearance of that city is very imposing. -All that is noble meets the eye: the groves, avenues, and spreading -orchards, with which it abounds, concealing the ruins of this once -famed capital. A nearer view, however, dispels the illusion; but still -much remains of wealth, if not of splendour, and were I so disposed, I -might write a volume on its beautiful environs; its palaces, splendid -even in decay, its college, with massy gates of silver, its magnificent -bridges, its baths, its arched bazars, its fountains, its far-famed -river Zindehrood, and the gardens on its banks, shaded with lofty -sycamores, and filled with every flower and fruit of the temperate zone. - -When the patience of the reader was exhausted by a minute description -of all the beauties and bounties which art and nature have lavished -on Isfahan, there would still remain to be described its two hundred -thousand inhabitants, more than half of whom poured forth in their -gayest attire to the istikbal, or meeting with the Elchee, the day we -entered this renowned city. - -A few days after our arrival the governor gave the Elchee an -entertainment, which began, as usual, with sweetmeats and fruit; and -after pipes, coffee, tumbling, wrestling, and fireworks, a sumptuous -dinner was served up. Another day we were invited to breakfast with -my old friend Hajee Ibrahim Kaledoonee, who gave us milk prepared in -seventy-two different ways, being, as Hajee Hoosein whispered me, in -accordance with the seventy-two sects in the religion of Mahomed. -Whether there was such a design or not I cannot say, but the fare was -admirable, and I was delighted to find my friend, who is, besides being -an extensive farmer, a ketkhuda, or magistrate, of the ward of Kaledoon -in Isfahan, the same plain-dressed, plain-spoken, humorous person we -had left him ten years before. He took us, as he had formerly done, -to the wonder of his quarter, the shaking minarets.[83] When a person -mounts to the top of one of these, and moves his body, it vibrates, and -the vibration is imparted to the other, though at a distance of about -forty feet, the width of the mosque to which they belong. - -While my companions were trying this experiment, and wondering at the -cause, I remained on the terrace conversing with Hajee Ibrahim. I -noticed a small village about a mile distant which seemed deserted. -"Is that oppression?" said I. "No," said the Hajee, "worse." "Why," -said I, "the Turkumans cannot have carried their inroads so near the -town." "They could not have done the work so complete," said my friend, -smiling. "Who has done it?" I asked. "A doctor," replied he; "a proper -fellow, who acquired great reputation, and he deserved it, from the -heirs of his patients at least. That village literally perished under -his hands in five years. Now he is gone I know not where, but good luck -attend him, so he comes not again to our neighbourhood." - -I went with some of our party to several of the principal hemmams or -baths of Isfahan. That of Khoosroo Aga I think one of the best I have -seen. When the first mission came to Persia, doubts were entertained -whether we could be permitted this luxury. Fortunately for us the -point was deemed one, not merely connected with comfort, but with that -respect which it was desirous we should receive from the natives of -the country; and viewing it in this light, the Elchee, by a well-timed -liberality, converted impure infidels into favoured guests, who, -instead of being excluded, were, at every town, solicited to honour -with their presence the public baths. - -The inhabitants of Isfahan are reputed quick and intelligent. They, -like those of other large cities in Persia, differ much, both in -appearance and character, from the peasantry who dwell in the villages. -The latter, though I saw none in actual poverty, seemed from their -appearance rarely to have any superabundance of even the necessaries of -life. Though neither so well lodged, clothed, nor fed as the citizens -of large towns, and perhaps occasionally subjected to more oppression, -I always found, when I talked to them, that they preferred their actual -condition; and though often loud and bold in their complaints of their -superiors, they appear a cheerful and robust race.[84] - -The food of the Eelyats is derived principally from their flocks, and -they eat, with their cheese and curds, hard black bread made from -barley and rye. The villagers in the cultivated plains have less animal -food, but more of wheaten bread, fowls, eggs, vegetables, and fruits. -Both these classes are equally uninstructed; the wandering tribes -despise learning, and the inhabitants of hamlets and villages have -seldom an opportunity of acquiring it. - -In the larger towns, and particularly those in which there are -manufactories, the case is very different; the inhabitants are -generally well clothed, and their whole appearance indicates that they -live in comfort. There are in all such towns numerous schools, and in -the principal ones colleges. At Isfahan almost every man above the -very lowest order can read and write, and artisans and shopkeepers are -often as familiar as those of the higher ranks with the works of their -favourite poets. The love of such learning seems, in some of the youth -of this city, to degenerate into a disease. These Talib-ool-Ilm, or -seekers of science, as the students are called, may be seen in crowds -round the gates, or within the walls of its college, reciting stanzas, -or discussing obscure dogmas or doctrines in their works on philosophy -or religion, and they often become, from such habits, unfitted for -every other pursuit in life. - -The population of Isfahan, notwithstanding such exceptions, may be -described as an active industrious people. They are considered the best -manufacturers and the worst soldiers in Persia. But whatever may be -their department in the field of battle, they are remarkable for the -boldness of their language in the field of argument, and have great -confidence in their ready wit and talent for repartee. - -Some years ago, this city was governed by a brother of the celebrated -Hajee Ibrahim, whose family at that time held several of the first -offices in the kingdom; and I heard that minister tell the Elchee the -following anecdote: - -A shopkeeper, he said, went to his brother to represent that he could -not pay an impost. "You must pay it, like others," said the governor, -or leave the city." "Where can I go?" asked the man. "To Shiraz or -Cashan." "Your nephew rules the one city, and your brother the other." -"Go to the king and complain, if you like." "Your brother the Hajee -is prime minister." "Then go to hell," said the enraged governor. -"Hajee Merhoom, the pious pilgrim, your father, is dead--" retorted the -undaunted Isfahanee. "My friend," said the governor, bursting into a -laugh, "I will pay the impost myself, since you declare my family keeps -you from all redress, both in this world and the next." - -The merchants of Persia form a distinct class. I had now seen those -of Abusheher, Shiraz, and Isfahan, and found their general character -nearly the same. - -So long as they have no concern with state affairs, and accept of -no employment from government, they enjoy considerable security. -The plunder of a merchant, without some pretext, would shake all -confidence, and be fatal to that commerce from which a great proportion -of the public revenue is derived; the most tyrannical monarchs -therefore have seldom committed so impolitic an act of injustice. But -this class have suffered so severely in the late revolutions of the -country that they continue to act with great caution. They are not only -very circumspect in their dealings, but, like wary diplomatists, every -merchant has a cipher, known only to himself and his correspondents. By -this means they receive and convey that intelligence which is essential -to give safety to their speculations. Some few make a display of -their wealth; but in general their habits are not merely frugal, but -penurious. This disposition often increases with age to a degree that -would hardly be credited if we had not similar instances in our own -country. - -The popular impression is so strong on this subject, that they relate -the following story as a fact, to exemplify it: - -A merchant who had lately died at Isfahan, and left a large sum of -money, was so great a niggard, that for many years he denied himself -and his son, a young boy, every support, except a crust of coarse -bread. He was, however, one day tempted by the description a friend -gave of the flavour of cheese to buy a small piece; but before he got -home he began to reproach himself with extravagance, and instead of -eating the cheese he put it into a bottle, and contented himself, and -obliged his child to do the same, with rubbing the crust against the -bottle, enjoying the cheese in imagination. - -One day that he returned home later than usual, he found his son eating -his crust, and rubbing it against the door. "What are you about, you -fool?" was his exclamation. "It is dinnertime, father; you have the -key, so I could not open the door;--I was rubbing my bread against it, -because I could not get to the bottle." "Cannot you go without cheese -one day, you luxurious little rascal? you'll never be rich!" added -the angry miser, as he kicked the poor boy for not being able to deny -himself the ideal gratification. - -Our stay at Isfahan was short. I regretted this the less, as I had, on -the former mission, full time to trace those remains of the splendour -of the Seffavean kings, which are still to be found at this their -favourite capital. The names of almost all these monarchs are now -forgotten, excepting that of Shah Abbas the Great, who, in Persia, is -not only the builder of all bridges, caravanserais, and palaces, but -his name is associated with all good sayings, liberal acts, and deeds -of arms. I was really quite tired with hearing of this most gallant, -most sage, most witty, and most munificent monarch, at his seat of -glory; and when sixty miles to the northward of that city, we were -entering the delightful little town of Nethenz, which lies in a narrow -valley between two high mountains, I said to myself, "Well, we are now, -thank God, clear of Abbas and his grand palaces; this scene of repose -abounds in beauties for which he had no taste." - -Hajee Hoosein, who was riding near me, said, as if he had read my -thoughts, "This is a charming place, and the inhabitants are remarkable -for their wit, as well as for their pears, peaches, and pretty ladies. -When Abbas the Great"--I pulled up my horse, and looked at him with a -countenance that indicated any thing but anxiety for his story; but -not observing, or not choosing to observe, he continued:--"When Abbas -the Great was hunting in this valley, he met, one morning as the day -dawned, an uncommonly ugly man, at the sight of whom his horse started. -Being nearly dismounted, and deeming it a bad omen, he called out in -a rage to have his head struck off. The poor peasant whom they had -seized, and were on the point of executing, prayed that he might be -informed of his crime:--'Your crime,' said the king, 'is your unlucky -countenance, which is the first object I saw this morning, and which -had nearly caused me to fall from my horse.' 'Alas!' said the man, 'by -this reckoning, what term must I apply to your majesty's countenance, -which was the first object my eyes met this morning, and which is to -cause my death?' The king smiled at the wit of the reply, ordered the -man to be released, and gave him a present instead of taking off his -head." - -"Well," said I, when the Hajee had finished, "I am glad I have heard -this story, for it proves your Abbas was, with all his fine qualities, -a capricious and cruel tyrant." "No doubt he was," said my friend, -"like other men in his condition, spoilt by the exercise of despotic -power. He had violent bursts of passion, but these were not frequent; -and then he used to be very sorry for what he did when in one of his -paroxysms; and what more could be expected from a Shahin-shah, or -king of kings? There," said he, as we entered Nethenz,--"There is -an instance of the truth of what I say; you see that little dome -on the summit of the hill which overhangs the town. It is called -Goom-bez-e-Baz, or the dome of the hawk. It happened one day that this -monarch, fatigued with hunting, had sat down on the top of that hill -with a favourite hawk on his hand; he called for some water, and a cup -was brought from a neighbouring spring; the hawk dashed the cup from -the king's hand as he was about to drink; another was sent for, but -the bird managed to spill it likewise; a third and a fourth shared the -same fate. The monarch, in a rage, killed the hawk. Before he had time -to take another cup, one of his attendants noticed that the water was -discoloured. This gave rise to suspicions; and the spring was found to -have been poisoned with the venom of a snake or some plant. Shah Abbas, -inconsolable at his rashness in destroying the bird which had saved his -life, built this dome to its memory, and is said to have often visited -it." - -After hearing this story, I was obliged, lest I should have more -anecdotes of this mighty monarch, to confess that, though not a -character exactly suited to my notions, there must be some merit in a -human being who, in spite of his ordering a man to be slain because -he had an ugly face that frightened a horse, and killing a hawk for -spilling a cup of water, had contrived to raise his country to such -a pitch of prosperity, that he was beloved, as well as feared, when -alive, and spoken of for centuries after his decease as the author of -all improvements. - -The caliph Haroon-oor-Rasheed occupies the same place in the stories -of the Arabians which Shah Abbas does among the Persians; but the -"Arabian Nights" have made the English reader familiar with the -celebrated Commander of the Faithful, which no similar work has done -for the sovereign of Persia. The fame of the latter, even in his native -country, has not excluded Haroon, whom I have always found in works -on the wisdom, moderation, and justice of monarchs, to occupy a very -prominent place in Persian literature. - -Aga Meer brought me one day a small tract, containing an account of a -visit of Haroon to the tomb of Noosheerwan, which was, he said, from -the lessons it conveyed, given to the youth of Persia to study. I -perused it with pleasure; and shall give a translation of a part of its -contents, as a specimen both of the moral maxims of this country and -the mode in which a knowledge of them is imparted. - -"The caliph Haroon-oor-Rasheed," says the author, "went to visit the -tomb of the celebrated Noosheerwan, the most famous of all the monarchs -who ever governed Persia. Before the tomb was a curtain of gold cloth, -which, when Haroon touched it, fell to pieces. The walls of the tomb -were covered with gold and jewels, whose splendour illumined its -darkness. The body was placed in a sitting posture on a throne enchased -with jewels, and had so much the appearance of life, that, on the first -impulse, the Commander of the Faithful bent to the ground, and saluted -the remains of the just Noosheerwan. - -"Though the face of the departed monarch was like that of a living man, -and the whole of the body in a state of preservation, which showed the -admirable skill of those who embalmed it; yet when the caliph touched -the garments they mouldered into dust. Haroon upon this took his own -rich robes and threw them over the corpse: he also hung up a new -curtain richer than that he had destroyed, and perfumed the whole tomb -with camphor, and other sweet scents. - -"It was remarked that no change was perceptible in the body of -Noosheerwan, except that the ears had become white. The whole scene -affected the caliph greatly; he burst into tears, and repeated from -the Koran--'What I have seen is a warning to those who have eyes.' -He observed some writing upon the throne, which he ordered the -Moobids,[85] who were learned in the Pehlevee language, to read and -explain. They did so: it was as follows: - - 'This world remains not; the man who thinks least of it is the - wisest. - - 'Enjoy this world before thou becomest its prey. - - 'Bestow the same favour on those below thee, as thou desirest to - receive from those above thee. - - 'If thou shouldst conquer the whole world, death will at last - conquer thee. - - 'Be careful that thou are not the dupe of thine own fortune. - - 'Thou shalt be paid exactly for what thou hast done; no more, no - less.' - -"The caliph observed a dark ruby-ring on the finger of Noosheerwan, on -which was written, - - 'Avoid cruelty, study good, and never be precipitate in action. - - 'If thou shouldst live for a hundred years, never for one moment - forget death. - - 'Value above all things the society of the wise.' - -"Around the right arm of Noosheerwan was a clasp of gold, on which was -engraved, - - 'On a certain year, on the 10th day of the month Erdebehisht,[86] - a caliph of the race of Adean, professing the faith of Mahomed, - accompanied by four good men, and one bad, shall visit my tomb.' - -"Below this sentence were the names of the forefathers of the -caliph. Another prophecy was added concerning Haroon's pilgrimage to -Noosheerwan's tomb. - - 'This prince will honour me, and do good unto me, though I have no - claim upon him; and he will clothe me in a new vest, and besprinkle - my tomb with sweet-scented essences, and then depart unto his - home. But the bad man who accompanies him shall act treacherously - towards me. I pray that God may send one of my race to repay the - great favours of the caliph, and to take vengeance on his unworthy - companion. There is, under my throne, an inscription, which the - caliph must read and contemplate. Its contents will remind him of - me, and make him pardon my inability to give him more.' - -"The caliph, on hearing this, put his hand under the throne, and found -the inscription, which consisted of some lines, inscribed on a ruby as -large as the palm of the hand. The Moobids read this also. It contained -information where would be found concealed a treasure of gold and arms, -with some caskets of rich jewels: under this was written, - - 'These I give to the caliph in return for the good he has done me; - let him take them and be happy.' - -"When Haroon-oor-Rasheed was about to leave the tomb, Hoosein-ben-Sahil -his vizier said to him, 'O lord of the faithful, what is the use of all -these precious gems which ornament the abode of the dead, and are of -no benefit to the living? Allow me to take some of them.' The caliph -replied with indignation, 'Such a wish is more worthy of a thief than -of a great or wise man.' Hoosein was ashamed of his speech, and said -to the servant who had been placed at the entrance of the tomb, 'Go -thou and worship the holy shrine within.' The man went into the tomb; -he was above a hundred years old, but he had never seen such a blaze -of wealth. He felt inclined to plunder some of it, but was at first -afraid: at last, summoning all his courage, he took a ring from the -finger of Noosheerwan, and came away. - -"Haroon saw this man come out, and observing him alarmed, he at once -conjectured what he had been doing. Addressing those around him, he -said, 'Do not you now see the extent of the knowledge of Noosheerwan? -He prophesied that there should be one unworthy man with me; it is this -fellow: what have you taken?' said he, in an angry tone. 'Nothing,' -said the man. 'Search him,' said the caliph. It was done, and the -ring of Noosheerwan was found. This the caliph immediately took, and -entering the tomb, replaced it on the cold finger of the deceased -monarch. When he returned, a terrible sound, like that of loud thunder, -was heard. - -"Haroon came down from the mountain on which the tomb stood, and -ordered the road to be made inaccessible to future curiosity. He -searched for, and found, in the place described, the gold, the arms, -and the jewels bequeathed to him by Noosheerwan, and sent them to -Bagdad. - -"Among the rich articles found was a golden crown, which had five -sides, and was richly ornamented with precious stones. On every side a -number of admirable lessons were written. The most remarkable were as -follows. - -First side. - - 'Give my regards to those who know themselves. - - 'Consider the end before you begin, and before you advance provide - a retreat. - - 'Give not unnecessary pain to any man, but study the happiness of - all. - - 'Ground not your dignity upon your power to hurt others.' - -Second side. - - 'Take counsel before you commence any measure, and never trust its - execution to the inexperienced. - - 'Sacrifice your property for your life, and your life for your - religion. - - 'Spend your time in establishing a good name; and if you desire - fortune, learn contentment.' - -Third side. - - 'Grieve not for that which is broken, stolen, burnt, or lost. - - 'Never give orders in another man's house; and accustom yourself to - eat your bread at your own table. - - 'Make not yourself the captive of women.' - -Fourth side. - - 'Take not a wife from a bad family, and seat not thyself with those - who have no shame. - - 'Keep thyself at a distance from those who are incorrigible in bad - habits, and hold no intercourse with that man who is insensible to - kindness. - - 'Covet not the goods of others. - - 'Be guarded with monarchs, for they are like fire, which blazeth - but destroyeth. - - 'Be sensible to your own value; estimate justly the worth of - others; and war not with those who are far above thee in fortune.' - -Fifth side. - - 'Fear kings, women, and poets. - - 'Be envious of no man, and habituate not thyself to search after - the faults of others. - - 'Make it a habit to be happy, and avoid being out of temper, or thy - life will pass in misery. - - 'Respect and protect the females of thy family. - - 'Be not the slave of anger; and in thy contests always leave open - the door of conciliation. - - 'Never let your expenses exceed your income. - - 'Plant a young tree, or you cannot expect to cut down an old one. - - 'Stretch your legs no farther than the size of your carpet.' - -"The caliph Haroon-oor-Rasheed was more pleased with the admirable -maxims inscribed on this crown than with all the treasures he had -found. 'Write these precepts,' he exclaimed, 'in a book, that the -faithful may eat of the fruit of wisdom.' When he returned to Bagdad, -he related to his favourite vizier, Jaffier Bermekee, and his other -chief officers, all that had passed: and the shade of Noosheerwan was -propitiated by the disgrace of Hoosein-ben-Sahil (who had recommended -despoiling his tomb), and the exemplary punishment of the servant who -had committed the sacrilegious act of taking the ring from the finger -of the departed monarch." - -Haroon-oor-Rasheed, with all his fame for clemency, generosity, and -justice, appears from the very pages written to raise his fame, to have -had, like Shah Abbas, his unlucky moments, when all his virtues were -obscured by acts of violent and cruel injustice. Witness his putting to -death the celebrated vizier, Jaffier Bermekee, and his vain efforts to -rob the memory of that virtuous and great minister of his just fame. - -Aga Meer related to me, after we had finished our translation, the -following story, which I must add, though I hate dwelling long upon any -of these eastern characters, however wonderful. - -"Haroon-oor-Rasheed," said the good Meerza, "when he had put to death -the celebrated Jaffier Bermekee, not contented with this cruelty, -wished to deprive him of those encomiums which the extraordinary -virtues of that minister had merited; and he published an order making -it death for any of the preachers or public speakers to mention the -name of Jaffier. This did not deter an old Arab from descanting with -great eloquence on the virtues of the deceased; he was warned of his -danger, but despised it; and on being taken and carried to the place -of execution, all he asked was to see the caliph for a few minutes. -This was granted. The monarch asked him how he came to disregard his -laws. 'Had I not praised Jaffier,' said the fearless Arab, 'I should -have been a monster of ingratitude, and unworthy the protection of any -laws.' 'Why?' said the caliph. 'I came,' replied the Arab, 'poor and -friendless to Bagdad. I lodged in a ruin in the skirts of the town, -where Jaffier discovered me. Pleased, as he afterwards told me, with -my conversation, he paid me frequent visits. One night I was seized -and hurried away I knew not whither. In the morning I found myself -in a magnificent Hemmam, and after bathing, was dressed by men in -fine robes, who called themselves my slaves. I was then mounted on a -horse with costly trappings, and conducted to an elegant palace, where -attendants, richly attired, welcomed me as their lord. Recovered from -my astonishment, I asked what all this meant. 'The habitation of a -Fakeer,'[87] said I, 'suits me better than this place; not a corner -of one of its saloons but is sufficient for my lodging; besides, I -could not remain happy, even in paradise, if absent from my dear wife -and children.' 'Your lordship's family,' said one of the servants, -'are in the inner apartments.' I was conveyed to them, and found their -adventures had been similar to mine. They were surrounded by female -slaves. - -"While we were expressing our mutual astonishment, Jaffier was -announced, and I found my old visitor in the ruin, and Jaffier the -vizier of the great caliph, one and the same person. I endeavoured -to make him change his resolution of raising me to a rank for which -I had no desire, and thought my character unsuited: he was however -inflexible. 'You conquered me in an argument,' said he, 'on happiness -being increased with the increased power a virtuous man possesses of -doing good. You shall now have an opportunity of putting in practice -all those plans of beneficence to others which have hitherto only -employed your imagination.' 'I have ever since,' said the Arab, 'lived -in affluence; my friendship with Jaffier only ended with his life: to -him I owe all I possess; and was it possible for me to be deterred by -death itself from doing justice to his memory?' - -"Though the caliph's pride was hurt, he could not withhold his esteem -from a man of such courageous virtue. Instead of ordering him to be -executed, he endeavoured to gain his admiration by more splendid -generosity than Jaffier. 'Take that,' said he, giving him his sceptre, -which was virgin gold, studded with rich jewels. 'I take it,' said -the grateful and undaunted Arab; 'but this, also, commander of the -faithful, is from Bermekee.'" - -Before quitting Nethenz I accompanied the Elchee in a ride through its -streets and gardens, which are so intermingled as to give it a singular -and pleasing appearance: you can scarcely tell whether you are in the -town or the country. We saw plenty of the pears and peaches, for which -my friend told me it was famous. As to its pretty ladies, they saw us, -no doubt, through the trellis-work of their dark veils, while we could -only dwell upon their beauties with the eyes of our imagination. - -I complained to my friend, Khan Sahib, of the privation of the innocent -pleasure of gazing upon the features of a lovely female; and then -I added, "What a mortification must it be for the lady to have her -charms denied that tribute of admiration which is their due!" "True," -answered my little friend; "it is very hard upon a few, but then think -how much numbers owe to that veil, which conceals age and ugliness, as -well as youth and beauty. I once," he observed, "fell violently in love -with one of these veiled ladies, whom I saw sometimes at a window, and -sometimes gliding like a phantom through the streets. She continued, -for a month, to occupy all my waking thoughts, and the image of her -beauties disturbed my rest. I first cast love-tokens into her windows, -in the shape of nosegays; then I persuaded an old woman to pour out all -the raptures of my soul at the feet of the object of my devotion. To -make a long story short, I was at last promised an interview. I waited -with impatience for the moment of anticipated delight. When admitted -into the presence of my fair I became wild with joy; I praised her -shape, the sweetness of her melodious voice, the captivating graces of -her manner, and, above all, her beautiful face. She long resisted my -entreaties to remove her veil. This I deplored in the words of Hafiz, -exclaiming, - - 'O alas![88] O alas! and O alas! that such a moon should be - concealed behind a cloud.' - -"What with prose, poetry, and flattery," added Khan Sahib, "I succeeded -at last. Would to God I had not! but perhaps it has done me good: for -what I saw of my imaginary angel has reconciled me for life to veils -and clouds." - -As we were talking we arrived at a citadel which was the residence of -the old Hakim, or governor Hajee Abd-ool-Casim, to whom the Elchee paid -a visit. We were received in a room at the top of one of the highest -turrets, from whence we had a commanding view of the surrounding -scenery. Nothing could be more singular or beautiful. The valley of -Nethenz, which is inclosed by mountains, is itself a succession of -eminences and small hills. The fruitful gardens, which occupied every -spot where there were no houses, extended eight miles. Seldom above -one, and never more than two of these gardens, were upon the same -level; they either appeared in a circle, converging towards the common -centre of an eminence that rose above the others, or were seen sloping -in flights along the hills that bordered upon the mountains. Rows of -lofty sycamores and spreading walnuts marked the lines of the streets -and the divisions of the gardens; and the latter were fenced round -with thick mulberry hedges, whose leaves, the Hakim informed us, fed -innumerable silk-worms, the produce of which formed the finest of the -silk manufactured at the cities of Cashan and Isfahan. - -The sun was shining bright as we gazed upon this enchanting scene, and -its beauty was greatly increased by numerous clear streams, which, -pouring from the neighbouring hills, either flowed or were conducted -among the gardens and orchards, where they appeared lost, till seen -glistening through those parts where the foliage was lighter or wholly -removed. - -The Elchee was quite delighted with the prospect. After remaining for -some time abstracted in contemplating its beauties, he turned round -to the governor, and with assumed gravity proposed to change stations -with him. "I should," said the old Hajee, with a faint smile, "make -a bad Elchee; and the pleasure you have enjoyed in looking at this -town from that window is the greatest you would ever know if you were -its Hakim." When making this last observation, he shook his head in a -manner too plainly indicating that the scene of abundance with which he -was surrounded, was to him the source of more trouble than enjoyment. - -I mentioned my suspicions to my friend Hajee Hoosein, as he came to me -with an evening kellian. "Ah!" said he, imitating the exclamation of -his countrymen on entering the charming vale of Desht-e-Arjun, "Iran -hemeen-est! Iran hemeen-est! This is Persia! this is Persia! But God is -just, as Sadee says: he gives fertile fields, roses, and nightingales, -with wicked men, to one country, and deserts and screech-owls, with -righteous men, to another; and again he tells us, 'It is not the -silk-worm but he that wears the silk vest that is to be envied.'" - -I was quite satisfied with the meaning and moral of my friend's -quotations, though I confess I have looked in vain over the pages of -Sadee to discover them in his volumes. But the Hajee, like many of his -countrymen, has such a deference for that inimitable author, that he -ascribes all sentiments that appear just to him, as the sole source of -human wisdom. - -FOOTNOTES: - -[77] Persian groom. - -[78] The ancient Hyrcania. - -[79] In Persia the term rood-khaneh, or the bed of a stream, is the -common word for a river--an idiom which has probably arisen from the -fact stated. - -[80] Some of these mirrors exceeded eight feet in length. - -[81] Mr. Randall, who is here alluded to, was a very ingenious -carpenter, who had been in an English man-of-war employed in -discoveries. He had been in the habit of mixing with the natives of -the places he visited and was on this occasion of great use; for the -Persian artizans, employed under his directions, worked with more zeal -and readiness from his dressing like them and living amongst them. - -[82] Ferman means a command, signifies here a letter or mandate -addressed by a superior to an inferior. - -[83] The minarets of the Mahomedan mosques are, like the steeples -of our churches, of all sizes; those we visited were of ordinary -dimensions. - -[84] I have been informed by one who had personal means of making the -comparison, that he considered the general condition of the Persian -peasantry to be fully equal if not superior to that of the same class -in Russia or Poland. - -[85] Moobid is the Persian term for a priest of the fire-worshippers. - -[86] The name of one of the months in the ancient Persian calendar. - -[87] Religious mendicant. - -[88] Ei dereegha, ei dereegha, oo ei dereegh! kih hem-choo mah pinhan -shoodzeer-e-meegh. - - - - -CHAPTER XIV. - - Cashan--Scorpions--Cashanee Youth--Village of Sinsin--Plundering - Expeditions of the Turkumans--Account of that Tribe--Wandering - Tribes--Visit to the Dwelling of Mihrab Khan Afshar--Account of his - Family and Adherents--Anecdote of Kerreem Khan. - - -Cashan, to which we went from Nethenz, is situated on the verge of a -desert, and no city can present a more uninviting aspect. We were, -however, accommodated in the Bagh-e-Fin, an excellent house and garden, -through which there is a clear stream, which, while it refreshes the -latter, gives an ample supply of water to the marble-baths belonging to -the small but delightful royal residence. - -"May you be stung by a scorpion of Cashan," is a common malediction -in Persia; and all are agreed that this city is famous for producing -the largest and most venomous species of this reptile. We were -however assured, that, partaking of that spirit of hospitality which -distinguishes the Persian nation, they never sting a stranger. - -"This fact," said Agar Meer to me, "is asserted by Ameen Razee, a -respectable writer, and the author of a famous work called the Heft -Akleem, or 'Seven Climates.'" "The same respectable writer," said Khan -Sahib, "compares the mud houses and narrow streets of Cashan, to the -angelic cheeks of the resplendent Hoorees of Paradise, whose smiles are -promised to the faithful. I could almost wish," he added, "to be stung -by one of his scorpions, that my mind might be satisfied there was no -truth in his comparison; otherwise my dreams of futurity will never be -realised." - -Agar Meer, who disliked wit when it ridiculed religion, gravely replied -to this sally, "Ameen Razee's facts may be correct, though his -metaphors are extravagant." "That may be true," said my Hindustannee -friend, Mahomed Hoosein, "but, according to the fable of the scorpion -and tortoise, the former has no power over his nature." - -"I have read," said the good Moonshee, "that a tortoise and a scorpion -travelled the same road for a considerable distance in good fellowship. -The latter, on the ground of this new friendship, asked the former to -carry him over a deep stream. The tortoise complied; but what was his -surprise to find his companion endeavouring with all his might to sting -him! When he had placed him safe on the opposite shore, he turned to -him and said, 'Are not you the most wicked and ungrateful of reptiles? -But for me you must either have given up your journey, or have been -drowned in that stream, and what is my reward? If it had not been for -the armour which God has given me, I should have been stung to death.' -'Blame me not,' said the scorpion, in a supplicatory tone, 'it is not -my fault; it is that of my nature; it is a constitutional habit[89] I -have of stinging!'" "Now," said Mahomed Hoosein, not wishing to offend -his brother of the pen, "this fable certainly applies to scorpions in -general; those of Cashan may be different: they may have that regard -for strangers which Aga Meer has stated them to have, on the authority -of Ameen Razee." "It may be so,"[90] I remarked; and this phrase of -doubtful assent put an end (as in Persia it is always meant to do) to -all further discussion on the subject. - -We left Cashan without any of our party being stung, which is a -negative proof in favour of Ameen Razee and other authors who have -eulogized its scorpions; but the point cannot yet be considered as -determined. It will no doubt therefore continue to receive, as it has -hitherto, the attention of all travellers who possess learning, and are -curious in their research after facts of natural history. - -The inhabitants of Cashan, like those of Isfahan, are more celebrated -as silk weavers than warriors. When Nadir Shah returned from India -he published a proclamation, permitting the followers of his army to -return to their homes. It is narrated that thirty thousand of those who -belonged to Cashan and Isfahan applied to this monarch for a guard of -a hundred musketeers to escort them safe to their wives and children. -"Cowards!" exclaimed he, in a fury; "Would I were a robber again for -the sake of waylaying and plundering you all. Is not my success a -miracle," said he to those around him, "with such a set of dastards in -my camp!" - -This story and many others were told us as we were sitting in one of -the cool rooms of the palace of Fin, commenting on the qualities of the -Cashanees. - -My old friend Mahomed Shereef Khan Burgshattee told me he had once a -convincing proof that a Cashanee might be a brave man. "On returning," -said he, "from the pursuit of a small party of plundering Turkumans, -I found that ten of my men had surrounded a fine looking youth, who -was on a dry spot in a morass, where not more than two could approach -him at a time. He had only a sword and a spear, but refused to yield; -inviting his opponents to use their fire-arms, since they durst not -fight him on equal terms. Struck with his appearance and courage, I -solicited him to surrender, and assured him he should be well treated. -'I know better,' said he, 'than to regard the promises of a faithless -Persian, who the moment I was unarmed would maltreat and murder me.' -I ordered my men to withdraw to a distance, and after making a vow he -should be well used, and leaving my arms on the ground, I rode forward, -saying, 'I will confide in you, though you dare not trust me.' The -youth, subdued by this action, sprung from his horse, threw down his -spear and sword, and hastened to kiss my stirrup; offering at the same -time his services, which I accepted. - -"I desired him to remount," continued Mahomed Shereef Khan, "and we -rejoined my astonished followers. After complimenting him on his -courage, I asked where he was born? 'At Cashan,' he said. 'You a -Cashanee!' I replied with surprise. 'I am,' said he; 'my father was a -silk weaver, and I had just begun to learn his business, being about -twelve years of age, when having gone with some companions to amuse -ourselves at a distance from the town, we were surprised and carried -off by a party of Turkumans. I was adopted into the family of one of -their chiefs, who carefully instructed me in horsemanship and the use -of arms. I have ever since accompanied him in his plundering incursions -into Persia and other countries.' - -"Now," said the old Mehmandar, "this man continued twenty years with -me; he only died about a twelvemonth ago, and maintained till the day -of his death the character he had established at our first meeting. -This example," he concluded, "satisfies me that it is possible the son -of a weaver, if properly brought up, may be a brave man. Nevertheless, -there can be no doubt these silk manufactories give bad habits, and -spoil many a good soldier." - -Our first march from Cashan was to the caravanserai of Sinsin. We -found the village, which had been very flourishing thirty years ago, a -complete ruin, with only a few inhabitants. Amongst these was an old -man, who gave me an account of the incursions of parties of savage -Turkumans, who year after year laid waste their fields, plundered their -dwellings, and carried their wives and children into slavery. - -I asked him if no means had been taken to prevent these inroads. -"Alas!" said he, "our own country, at the period of which I speak, was -in too distracted a state to admit of any such precautions, and we were -too weak to defend ourselves against such daring and ferocious men. -Besides, they came and vanished in a moment. Thirty or forty mounted -robbers and twenty led horses used to surprise us at daylight: all the -spoil they could carry, together with women and children, were fastened -on the led horses, and in an hour or two they were in full march to -their homes, on the eastern shores of the Caspian Sea. - -"If we attempted resistance," continued the narrator of this sad tale, -"as we sometimes did, they became furious; our houses were burnt, the -old and helpless massacred, and all the property they could not bear -away was destroyed. Look here," said he, pointing to some scars, "Look -at these; I got them in attempting to save my little brother and two -sisters from the merciless grasp of these ruthless spoilers. I was -left for dead, while my poor father, who was wounded also, had only -sufficient life left to reach Cashan, where he expired, after giving -intelligence of our fate. Some horsemen were sent in pursuit, but their -pampered animals, kept to parade in squares and market-places, could -never overtake the trained horses of the plunderers, who used to come -two hundred fersekhs[91] and return in ten days. - -"But, thank God," he concluded, "if the Kajirs who now fill the throne -of Persia have done us no other good, it is no slight blessing to be -freed from the ravages of these terrible Yamoots; that is the name -of the tribe who made the inroads upon us. They dwell in the plains -near Astrabad, and are friends of our royal family, who are natives of -that place: besides, now that Persia is settled, they find there is -more profit, and less danger, in breeding and selling horses, than in -plundering and murdering their neighbours." - -I had ten years before seen a good deal of some Turkumans at Teheran. -Their character, and what I learnt of their habits, quite prepared me -to believe the melancholy tale which was told me by the old villager, -towards whom I showed a sympathy that surprised him; for scenes like -these are so common in Persia, that they attract little attention. -The fact is, the Turkumans are only a shade more savage than those -tribes of Persian and Tartar origin, who form the military class of -this nation, and who, though restrained in some degree of order, when -the government is strong, cherish their lawless habits, and are ready -at a moment to show them, when invited to do so, by the weakness or -distraction of the state. - -The Turkumans[92] have long been familiar to Persian history as -depredators. This race of Tartars has small eyes, high cheek bones, -thin beards, and robust frames. The women, though with softer features, -and some with good complexions, are seldom beauties; and they are -generally more valued for their capability of enduring fatigue, and for -giving birth to, and bringing up stout children, than for any of those -charms and accomplishments which are so highly prized in more civilized -society. - -During the last century the limits of Persia have been more confined -than formerly, and these Turkuman tribes may now be considered more as -borderers to that country than as forming part of its population. They -appear indeed to have cultivated and fostered all the qualities which -might be expected to belong to a race so situated, and have become, in -virtue of usage, entitled alternately to claim the privilege of being -protected by, or the right of plundering, the kingdoms they divide. - -The Turkumans trace their descent to the great Moghul monarch Aghooz -Khan, the son of Kara Khan, the son of Moghul Khan, the son of the -Lord knows who. Their great progenitor was famous for his five sons, -his bow, and his three golden arrows! At his death he divided the -bow, which is the type of power, between the two elder, to whom he -consigned his great empire. To each of the three younger he gave an -arrow, signifying by that bequest that they and their descendants were -to obey their elder brethren; to be chiefs, generals, and embassadors, -and to fly at command, as an arrow when directed from the bow. The -Turkumans belong to one of the junior branches of this great family, -but they have not hitherto been remarkable for any of the dispositions -or qualities likely to render them useful or obedient servants. - -I had the account of their origin, as well as many other facts -connected with their history, from an old Turkuman called Rahman Beg, -of whom I bought some horses. A short anecdote will give his character. -I was anxious to buy a very fine animal he had, but I delayed the -purchase from an objection to his head, which was large and ugly. One -day as I was commenting on this unsightly member, my friend lost all -patience, "What the devil," said he, "do they ride on the head of a -horse in your country, that you are so particular as to its size and -beauty?" - -This rude, but intelligent barbarian, though he could neither read -nor write, and had the utmost contempt for Moollahs (a term which, -with him, included all priests and scholars), was as familiar with -the history of his own tribe as Mirkhond, or any of the best Eastern -historians. - -"You have, no doubt," said he to me, "read of the famous Seljukian -Prince Sanjar. That sovereign, not content with an annual tribute -of twenty-four thousand sheep which we gave him, wanted to increase -the number, and to send one of his own officers to choose from our -flocks, instead of trusting to the honour of our chiefs. This we could -never put up with; so we fought him, destroyed his army, and took -him prisoner. He was for some years set upon a throne every day, and -confined in a cage every night; but at last he made his escape; and -being a soft-hearted, foolish blockhead, died of grief, from seeing -the state of desolation to which we had reduced his favourite province -of Khorassan! After this," continued he, "we became the terror of the -world, and the name of Turkuman, which had long been despised, was -dreaded everywhere. Who has not heard," said he exultingly, "of our -princes and chiefs who subdued kingdoms, and plundered empires, under -the glorious banners of the white and the black sheep? But these days -of sovereignty did not last long; we separated, and have never since -done any thing worthy of mention. The tribe of Yamoot," continued my -old friend, "to which I belong, remained long unsubdued, and made -famous annual inroads into Persia; but the late king, Aga Mahomed -Khan, who was a cruel, wily, old rogue, spoiled all that sport. Being -well acquainted with our haunts, he made a sudden incursion into our -country, slew numbers, and brought away many captives, the majority of -whom were women and children." - -"The possession of our families," said Rahman Beg, as he concluded -this short history of his tribe, "compelled our chiefs to enter into -a compact not to plunder, and they have been obliged to give their -children as hostages for its faithful performance. The present king -has improved upon the policy of his uncle: a colony of our tribe is -established at Teheran; some are in service, and the others, though -strictly watched, are permitted to trade. If matters go on in this -way our sons will become a set of blackguard horse-dealers, instead -of gallant warriors, and their children will be instructed in the art -of cheating unwary citizens, instead of the more manly occupation of -plundering a rich traveller. We shall have no more fine Persian girls -to keep our tents clean, and dress our victuals, nor active fellows to -rub our horses, or attend our flocks! What a sad change! And as to our -profits in breeding and selling horses, I have known more money given -in one day for the ransom of a nobleman or a wealthy merchant, than our -whole tribe can now make by trafficking in cattle for a twelvemonth!" - -I asked Rahman Beg, how he, as a Mahomedan, could reconcile himself -to make slaves of persons of the same religion? "What," said he, "do -you count these rascally Sheahs, the Persians, who deny the first four -Caliphs, to be of the same religion as we Soonees?--they are vile -schismatics." "Then," I observed, "when you made Soonees captives, you -did not make them slaves?" "Why! I don't know; I think," he added, -laughing, "we should in such case have been compelled to become Sheahs -ourselves; for slaves we must have." - -The Turkumans, of whom Rahman Beg is a fair specimen, pay little if -any regard to religion beyond a few ceremonies. The rites observed at -their births, funerals, and marriages, are not essentially different -from those of the other wandering tribes in Persia. The courage of this -tribe is proverbial, and both the Persians and Afghans admit their -extraordinary prowess. They use bows and arrows, and some few have -fire-arms, but the weapon on which they place most dependence is the -spear. This is in general from ten to twelve feet long, rudely formed, -and with a short piece of steel at the point. - -As we were one day looking at a party of the king's guards,[93] each of -whom was armed with a sword, a spear, a pair of pistols, and a dagger, -Rahman Beg tossed up his head in contempt, exclaiming, "What is the -good of all that arsenal? what can a soldier want beyond a spear and a -heart?"[94] - -The Turkumans are fond of music and dancing. The celebrated song of -"Koor Ogloo," or The Son of the Blind Man, is chanted when they go to -battle, and is said to have a wonderful effect in exciting the courage -of this rude race. I asked Rahman Beg to give me a copy of this song; -he could not, but gave me its general purport, and repeated some lines -with great animation. - -The burthen of the song is the wonderful deeds of the son of a poor -blind old man, who employed himself in plundering travellers and -caravans, while his father dwelt in the recesses of a wood which lay -between two great cities. The prowess of the single arm of the "Son of -the blind man" was so great, that hundreds could not withstand it; and -when thousands were sent against him, his fleet horse Kerat carried him -to a place of security. - -The praises of the hero and his horse, the prodigies of valour of -the one, the wonderful fleetness of the other, with the descriptions -of rich plunder, and beautiful damsels, which abound throughout this -song, are quite congenial to the habits of a Tuurkuman; and I could -believe all the feelings, that I was told its recitation produced, from -the effect the mere account of it that he gave me had on Rahman Beg. -"Others of the Tartar blood," said my old friend, "admire this fine -composition; but a set of fellows who live as they do, are not worthy -of such verses; and we also," he added, "if we go on as we are now -doing, shall soon be ashamed to hear them sung by our minstrels; who -may well cherish these old strains, for we no longer supply them with -deeds for new songs of battle!" - -I was very anxious to learn all I could of the breed and management -of the Turkuman horses, which are so highly valued in Persia. They -are of good size, being from fifteen to sixteen hands high, of -excellent temper, and of a shape, like that of the highest bred English -carriage-horses, lengthy and strong limbed; and often showing a great -deal of blood. - -The Turkumans trace all their best horses to Arabian sires; and they -believe that the race degenerates, after three or four descents, unless -it is, what they term, "refreshed." This makes them most anxious -to obtain fine Arabian horses. Rahman Beg and his brother offered -the Elchee a large sum for a very fine animal he had brought from -Abusheher, and they seemed greatly disappointed that he would not part -with him. - -The size of the horses is attributed to the fine pasture lands on which -they are reared; and the extraordinary capability of bearing fatigue to -their blood, and the manner in which they are trained. They ride them -with snaffles, and allow them to go slouching along with their necks -loose. They speak with contempt of horsemen who rein up their horses, -and throw them on their haunches. "It is taking the animal," said -Rahman Beg to me, "off his natural position; and for what? to get a -little readiness[95] in the plain; and for this power of skirmishing, -you hurt, if you do not altogether lose, the long walk, trot, and -gallop, to which we trust in our forays!"[96] - -These plunderers train their horses, as much as we do our racers or -hunters. Before they begin their expeditions, they put them into -complete condition, and the marches they perform are astonishing. -According to their own accounts, some have gone forty fersekhs (140 -miles) within twenty-four hours; and it was ascertained on most minute -inquiry, that parties of them, in their predatory inroads, were in the -habit of marching from twenty to thirty fersekhs (from 70 to 105 miles) -for twelve or fifteen days together, without a halt. - -Before proceeding on a foray they knead a number of small hard balls of -barley-meal, which, when wanted, they soak in water, and this serves -as food to both themselves and their horses. It is a frequent practice -with them in crossing deserts, where no water is to be found, to open a -vein in the shoulder of the horse, and to drink a little of his blood; -which, according to their opinion, benefits, rather than injures the -animal, while it refreshes the rider. On my appearing to doubt this -fact, Rahman Beg showed me several old horses, on which there were -numerous marks of having been bled; and he assured me they never had -recourse to phlebotomy but on such occasions as have been stated. - -The Eelyats, or wandering tribes in Persia, are like the Turkumans, -but somewhat less barbarous. They have been often described, and one -good picture of this race serves for all, for they are little subject -to change; and while every tradition and every work on the ancient -history of Persia proves that many of its more southern inhabitants, -particularly those of the mountains of Kerman and Lauristan, have been -nomades, or wandering tribes, from time immemorial, we find in the -Turkish Eelyats who have overrun the northern provinces, the language, -the habits, and the appearance of the Tartar race to which they belong. - -The qualities most prized amongst these tribes are courage in men, -and chastity in women. The females who dwell in tents wear no veils. -They welcome strangers, are very hospitable, and their manner, though -confident, is by no means immodest. The Elchee on his return from the -first mission, when riding one day near a small encampment of Afshar -families, expressed doubts to his mehmandar, a Persian nobleman, as to -the reported boldness and skill in horsemanship of their females. The -mehmandar immediately called to a young woman of handsome appearance, -and asked her in Turkish if she was a soldier's daughter? She said -she was. "And you expect to be a mother of soldiers," was the next -observation. She smiled. "Mount that horse," said he, pointing to one -with a bridle, but without a saddle, "and show this European Elchee -the difference between a girl of a tribe and a citizen's daughter." -She instantly sprung upon the animal, and setting off at full speed, -did not stop till she had reached the summit of a small hill in the -vicinity, which was covered with loose stones. When there, she waved -her hand over her head, and came down the hill at the same rate at -which she had ascended it. Nothing could be more dangerous than the -ground over which she galloped; but she appeared quite fearless, and -seemed delighted at having an opportunity of vindicating the females of -her tribe from the reproach of being like the ladies of cities.[97] - -The wives and daughters of the chiefs, who accompany their relations -to cities and towns, have in some degree adopted the customs of -citizens; but neither such changes of manners in the ladies, nor the -habits acquired by the men, are suffered to dissolve their ties with -followers, whose devoted attachment and readiness to adopt their cause, -or to revenge their death, constitute their strength and safeguard, -amidst all the hazards with which they are surrounded. - -The habits and sentiments of this class of people interested me -exceedingly; and my anxiety to observe as much as I could of their -domestic arrangements, made me delighted on hearing that the Elchee -intended a visit to the house of his mehmandar, Mihrab Khan Afshar, a -man of high family, and who holds an office at court. - -The day before we arrived at his house I met him on the march, having -a letter in his hand, with the contents of which he appeared highly -offended. "I hope you have no unpleasant news," I said. "Nothing," -was his reply; "except that I am directed in this mandate from his -majesty's minister, to be most careful in protecting the villages and -grounds we have to pass, and not take a blade of grass from them. The -chief of the tribe to which these lands belong," he added in a rage, -"has obtained this order. The scoundrel! But this is another item to -the account which I shall some day settle with compound interest." - -"You must know," said Mihrab Khan, seeing I did not quite comprehend -him, "this tribe and mine have a long-continued feud. Our lands adjoin; -the government is too strong at present to admit of attacking each -other openly like brave men; so we endeavour, like sneaking rascals, to -do each other all the mischief we can by intrigues and plots at court. -They are at present in great favour, and have recently obtained the -transfer of a small tribe, whose tents you have just passed, and who -were formerly our peasants." "Who are these peasants?" I asked. "Oh," -said the Turkish chief, "they belong to one of the old Persian tribes, -which it is the policy of the king to break, and so he parcels them -amongst us Turks; but that has nothing to do with his taking them from -us, and giving them to our enemies." - -During this conversation we had reached the summit of an eminence, -from which Mihrab Khan, his eyes glistening with joy, pointed out the -ruins of a village. "Look there," said he, "it is twenty-five years -since I accompanied my uncle Hashem Khan to an attack of that village; -we completely sacked and destroyed it. The rascals had no Shahin-Shah -(king of kings) to protect them then. But there is one consolation, -these stupid times cannot last for ever; and if I live long enough to -give these vagabonds another sound drubbing, I shall die contented!" - -The morning after this conversation, we arrived at the fort of -Hashem,[98] a name given to this castle, after the founder, the uncle -of our mehmandar. We were met by four nephews of the latter, several of -his relations, a troop of his followers, and his little son Shahverdee, -who, though only eight years of age, paid his compliments to the Elchee -in a most formal style, and managed with great address a large and -spirited horse. - -When we entered the fort, we found it completely dismantled, and two -of the bastions thrown down. This was done, we were informed, by the -jealousy of the king, who disapproved of his nobles having strongholds. - -We had no sooner finished a very plentiful breakfast, than our host -retired to his inner apartment, and returned, leading in his hand a -stout, chubby, red-cheeked boy, between three and four years of age. -Of this little fellow, he seemed very proud; there could not be a -finer child: he, also, was well trained, and made his obeisance to the -Elchee, like a high bred young gentleman, and took his seat near his -father. We however managed, though not without some difficulty, to -discompose his gravity, and soon discovered, that he was, as his father -had described him, a proper Young Pickle. - -In introducing me to his relations Mihrab Khan gave me a short history -of his family. "My father," said he, "had two brothers, one older and -one younger than himself. Here (pointing to them) are four young men, -the grandsons of my eldest uncle, who was head of the family. Their -eldest brother is with the king, commanding a body of horse, all of the -tribe of Afshar, and this (turning to an elderly person) is my cousin, -the son of my younger uncle. - -"My family," said the Khan, "consists of six children, of whom you -have seen two: they are all (except one) by the same mother, my wife, -the daughter of Fatteh Ali Khan Afshar, a famous chief, who, on the -death of Nadir Shah (whom you know was of our tribe) aspired to the -throne. My good father-in-law, however, lost his life in the attempt to -become a king, and I married his orphan daughter, an excellent woman, -but who carries her head rather high, as no doubt she has a right to -do, from recollection of her father's pretensions! Look!" said he, -speaking softly, for the apartment we were in was within hearing of -the interior; "look at that youngster at the other end of the room: -he is my son. His mother was the daughter of a jeweller at Isfahan, -an uncommonly pretty girl. He is a fine lad, but I dare hardly notice -him; and he is, you will observe, not allowed to sit within ten yards -of the grandsons of Fatteh Ali Khan Afshar! This is all very proper," -he added; "it is attention to the dam, as well as the sire, that keeps -the breed good. Besides, the influence of females amongst us Eelyats is -very great, and if we did not treat them with respect, matters would -not long be right." - -Mihrab Khan next gave me an account of the mode in which their family -lands were allotted, and how the disbursements of the respective -branches of the family were made. "My father and his brothers lived -together," said he, "and we do the same. Our inheritance was equal, -and each of the three branches is charged a day's expenditure, -successively. Entertainments and imposts are paid in equal shares. We -seek by intermarriages to strengthen those ties, which are our only -defence against oppression and destruction. - -"We are Turks," he concluded, laughing, "and consequently, you may -suppose, have often violent quarrels, but the necessity of our -condition soon reconciles us again; and we are at present, and will I -trust long continue, an united family!" - -I remarked in the followers of Mihrab Khan, as I had done in other -tribes, an attachment to their chief approaching to a perfect devotion. -It was a love and duty, of inheritance, strengthened by the feelings -of twenty generations. Though the superior in general repaid this -feeling with regard and protection, I saw many instances of its being -considered as much a property as the land, and the inanimate goods and -chattels, which he who received it had inherited from his father. - -There are few countries which can boast of more examples of devoted -allegiance of chiefs to their sovereign, as well as of followers to -their chiefs, than Persia: but this will not recommend them to many -of my readers. We live in a refined and artificial age, and, vain of -our condition, we laugh to scorn feelings which were the pride of our -ancestors, and which at this moment form the only ties that preserve -order over nine-tenths of the universe. - -Allegiance of any description is, according to some philosophers, a -folly if not a crime, and quite beneath the dignity of human beings. -Others admit that from being a cherished prejudice, it may in some -cases have a salutary action; but those who view man as formed by his -Creator, and who contemplate the origin of those motives by which -he is actuated, will find that the feeling of dependence with which -allegiance is associated, and which in the silence of reason often -leads to a line of action beneficial to the community as well as -the individual, is not the less valuable from being grafted on his -weakness; a part of his nature, by the by, requiring much more the care -and attention of philosophers than his strength, for that can take care -of itself. - -Allegiance is the duty a child owes to its parent, for birth, -nourishment, and protection. It is that which collected families owe to -a chief of their tribe, who is their point of union, and consequently -of their security; and in its climax it is that which chiefs and -their followers owe to a sovereign, their concentrated attachment to -whom is the ground of their safety and their glory as a nation. This -feeling gains strength by becoming hereditary. It is associated with -the fame of individuals, of families, of tribes, and of empires; it is -conservative, it is destructive; but even in its most dreadful action -it has in it an ennobling principle, for it is congenial with the most -natural, as well as the highest and noblest feelings of the human mind. - -The wandering tribes in Persia are not more remarkable for attachment -to their chiefs than for the affection relations bear to each other, -and the strength of those ties by which every individual is bound to -the community of which he is a part. - -A Persian friend of mine related to me in illustration of this fact, an -authentic and affecting anecdote of the conduct of an old man of one of -those tribes during the reign of Kerreem Khan Zend. - -Twelve men had been robbed and murdered under the walls of Shiraz. -The perpetrators of this atrocious act could not for a long period -be discovered, but Kerreem Khan deeming this occurrence so deeply -injurious to that impression of security and justice which it was the -labour of his life to establish, commanded the officers of justice to -persevere in their search till the offenders were detected, threatening -them, and others who had heard the cries of the murdered men with -vengeance, unless they effected a discovery, which he considered -essential to his own reputation. - -After some months had elapsed, it was discovered by accident that a -small branch of Kerreem Khan's own tribe of Zend, at that time encamped -near Shiraz, were the murderers. Their guilt was clearly proved, and -all who had been actually engaged in the murder were sentenced to -death. Powerful intercession was made that some at least should be -pardoned, but the prince had vowed that every man should suffer, and -their being of his own favoured tribe made him more inexorable. They -had, he said, brought disgrace on him as their sovereign and as their -chief, and could not be forgiven. - -When the prisoners were brought before him to receive sentence, there -was amongst them a youth of twenty years of age, whose appearance -interested every spectator; but their anxiety was increased to pain -when they saw the father of this young man rush forward, and demand, -before they proceeded to the execution, to speak to the prince. -Permission was granted, and he addressed him as follows: - -"Kerreem Khan, you have sworn that these guilty men shall die, and it -is just; but I, who am not guilty, come here to demand a boon of my -chief. My son is young, he has been deluded into crime; his life is -forfeited, but he has hardly tasted the sweets of life; he is just -betrothed in marriage; I come to die in his stead: be merciful! let an -old worn out old man perish, and spare a youth, who may long be useful -to his tribe; let him live to drink of the waters, and till the ground -of his ancestors!" - -Kerreem Khan is stated to have been greatly moved by the old man's -appeal: he could not pardon the offence, having sworn on the Koran that -all concerned should be put to death; and with feelings very different -from our ideas of justice, but congenial to those of the chief of a -tribe, he granted the father's prayer, and the old man went exultingly -to meet his fate. While all around were filled with pity, his son, wild -and distracted with grief, was loud in imploring the prince to reverse -his decree, to inflict on him that death which he merited, and to save -the more valuable life of his aged, devoted, and innocent parent. - -FOOTNOTES: - -[89] Neeyet-e-naish zedden. - -[90] Boodeh-bashed. - -[91] The standard fersekh of Persia is 6000 royal yards (gez-e-shah), -which is somewhat more than three miles and a half. This measure, -however, varies in different provinces of that kingdom. - -[92] Many Persian authors assert that the word Turkuman is from the -compound term Turk-manend, or Turk-like; and the conclusion made -from this is, that they are a tribe of Tartars who, having become -inhabitants of the north-eastern part of Persia, were subsequently -designated by a name which marked their origin. Persian writers, -however, are generally bad etymologists, and I am a worse; I must, -therefore, leave this important question in doubt. - -[93] Gholam-e-Shah. - -[94] Een karkhaneh cheh faideh; berae sipahee cheh zeroor sewae neezeh -wa dil? - -[95] Hazir mydanee. - -[96] Chappau. - -[97] History of Persia, vol. ii. p. 115. - -[98] Kella-e-Hashem Khan. - - - - -CHAPTER XV. - - Arrival at Koom--Mahomedan Ladies--Their Rights and Privileges - after Marriage--Divorces--Story of Hajee Salah, the Cross-Grained. - - -We went from Cashan to Koom, a very ancient and once populous city, -but the greater part of it is now in ruins. Several of the Seffavean -monarchs, and many celebrated and pious persons are interred at this -place; but notwithstanding the tombs of learned priests and great -monarchs, with which it is honoured, its present fame and sanctity are -chiefly derived from its containing the mortal remains of Fatima the -Immaculate,[99] who was the sister of the Imam Mehdee. - -The city of Koom was given sometime ago by the king as an estate to his -mother, a pious liberal old lady, who expended considerable sums in -restoring it to prosperity. She bestowed especial care in ornamenting -the shrine of the female saint, the dome of which being gilt has a -splendid appearance. This is a sanctuary even for murderers. - -Whatever ignorant Europeans may say of the exclusion of females from -the Mahomedan Paradise, the ladies who profess that religion have -the consolation to know, that not only in this instance, but that of -Fatima, the daughter of the Prophet, and in many others, they receive a -homage which proves their title to the adoration of man, as saints in -heaven, as well as angels upon earth. - -I have had frequent discussions with my Persian friends upon the -general condition of the female sex in this country; and cannot better -illustrate the subject than by relating what passed on an occasion -when I made a violent attack on their usages in this particular, and -brought them into strong contrast with those of the civilized nations -of Europe. - -I began by stating, that, by making slaves of one half of the creation -they made tyrants of the other. "I am only surprised," I said, "how -your females can bear the subjection and confinement to which they are -doomed. How our Christian ladies would scorn such restraints! Their -minds are cultivated as carefully as those of their fathers, brothers, -or husbands, who trust for their good conduct to their sense of virtue -and religion, rather than to strong doors and high walls. We desire," -I added, "that those who share our pleasures and our toils should be -acquainted with the world in which they live, that we may possess not -only an affectionate wife, but an intelligent friend. - -"Your Mahomedan ladies, on the contrary, are shut up like wild -animals: whilst moving from one inclosure to another they travel in a -curtained carriage; or, if walking, they are enveloped in robes which -merely admit of their breathing and seeing their way through small -eye-windows. Besides, they are not allowed to have any communication -but with their husbands, children, or slaves. What with flattering -one, coaxing another, beating a third, and fighting a fourth, these -ladies must have a fine time of it in this world; and as to the next, -though they are not denied Paradise, as we Europeans often erroneously -believe, they are only promised, as a reward for the most pious life, -half those blessings which await the virtuous of the male part of the -creation! - -"Your females," I said, "are married while mere children, and the -consequence is, they are old women at twenty-five. This furnishes you -with an excuse for forming other connexions, and treating your first -wives with neglect." - -This attack was listened to with symptoms of impatience; every one -seemed anxious to answer, but precedence was given to Jaffier Ali Khan, -and the ladies of his country could not have had a better advocate. - -"Really, sir, you form a very erroneous judgment of the condition of -our women. In this, as in many other instances, where our religion or -our customs are concerned, vulgar errors pass from one to another till -they are believed by all. Many persons in England imagine that a pigeon -was taught to pick peas from the ears of the Prophet, who thought he -might succeed by this device in persuading the ignorant that the pigeon -was a celestial messenger. They also say that his tomb at Mecca is -supported between heaven and earth by means of a loadstone. If true, -it would be a miracle; but it is not true: nevertheless people believe -it, and the more readily, because it is wonderful. Now," said Jaffier, -"it is the same with half the stories about our women. Why, I am told, -it is a common belief with you that Mahomed has declared women have -no souls! If you read the Koran you will find that our Prophet not -only ranks women with men as true believers, but particularly ordains -that they shall be well treated and respected by their husbands; he -has indeed secured that by establishing their right to dowers as well -as to claims of inheritance. He also has put it out of the power of a -husband to hurt the reputation of his wife, unless he can produce four -witnesses of her guilt; and should he have witnessed that himself, he -must swear four times to the fact, and then by a fifth oath imprecate -the wrath of God if he is a liar. Even after this, if the wife goes -through the same ceremony, and imprecates the wrath of God upon her -head if her husband does not swear falsely, her punishment is averted; -or if she is divorced, her whole dower must be paid to her, though it -involve the husband in ruin. What protection can be more effectual than -this? - -"Then a woman who is divorced may marry again after four months, -which is believed to be soon enough. These widows, I assure you, sir, -when they have a good dower, are remarkable for consulting their own -judgment as to a second choice; they are not like young giddy girls, -who are guided by their parents or the reports of old nurses or -match-makers." - -"But how do they see or hear," said I, "sufficient to direct them in -their choice?" - -"Why," said Jaffier Ali, "they see and hear much more than you imagine. -Besides the liberty they enjoy of going abroad, some of the rooms in -the merdaneh, or man's apartments, are only divided by a curtain or -skreen from the zenaneh, or female apartment; and the ladies can, when -they choose, both see and hear through that as much as they desire." - -"But what is the use of those peeps and chance meetings to your young -ladies, if they have not the liberty of choice with regard to their -husbands?" - -"Why, sir," said my friend, "our daughters are usually betrothed -when children, and married when very young; the husband is commonly -selected from equality of condition and age. All this is settled by the -parents, whose regard for their children, it is supposed, will make -them take every means to promote their happiness. It must be confessed, -however, that worldly motives often lead to youth and age being united; -but this, I am told, occurs even in England. You will say an English -father cannot force his daughter to marry, but he can no doubt use such -means as may oblige her to marry a man for whom she has an aversion, -or she may run away from her parents with some person of whom they -disapprove. - -"So you see," said Jaffier, "this liberty of choice which your forward, -though inexperienced, young ladies exercise, has bad as well as good -effects. Now our daughters never run away; and as they have seldom ever -seen their destined husbands, if they have no love for them, neither -have they any dislike. The change from the condition of a girl under -the strict subjection of her mother to that of a wife at the head of -her own part of the household is so agreeable, that they are too happy -to adopt it. - -"You English take your ideas of the situation of females in Asia from -what you hear and read of the harems of kings, rulers, and chiefs, -who being absolute over both the men and women of their territories, -indulge in a plurality of wives and mistresses. These, undoubtedly, -are immured within high walls, and are kept during life like slaves; -but you ought to recollect, that the great and powerful, who have such -establishments, are not in the proportion of one to ten thousand of -the population of the country. If a person of inferior rank marry a -woman of respectable connexions, she becomes mistress of his family; -and should he have only one house, he cannot place another on an -equality without a certainty of involving himself in endless trouble -and vexation, if not disgrace. The dower usually settled upon such a -lady, added to other privileges, and an unlimited authority over her -children and servants, give her much importance; and she is supported -by her relations in the assertion of every right with which custom has -invested her. - -"With regard to liberty, such a lady can not only go to the public -bath, but she visits for one or two days, as she chooses, at the house -of her father, brother, sister, or son. She not only goes to all these -places unattended, but her husband's following her would be deemed -an unpardonable intrusion. Then she has visitors at home; friends, -musicians, and dancers; the husband cannot enter the lady's part of the -house without giving notice. I only wish," said Jaffier Ali, laughing, -"you could see the bold blustering gentleman of the merdaneh in the -ladies' apartment; you would hardly believe him to be the same person. -The moment his foot crosses the threshold, every thing reminds him -he is no longer lord and master; children, servants, and slaves look -alone to the lady. In short, her authority is paramount: when she is -in good humour, everything goes on well; and when in bad, nothing goes -right. It is very well for grandees, who, besides power and wealth, -have separate houses and establishments, and are above all regard for -law and usage, to have harems, and wives, and female slaves; but for -others, though they may try the experiment, it can never answer;" and -he shook his head, apparently with that sincere conviction which is the -result of experience. - -Hajee Hoosein, who had brought our evening kellians, and was listening -to this defence of Mahomedan ladies with great attention, exclaimed at -this last sentence, "Sadee says very truly, - - 'Two dervishes can sleep on one carpet, - But two kings cannot rest in one kingdom.'" - -"Very true, Hajee," said Jaffier Ali, "nor can two mistresses be at -peace in one house." - -"Why, then," said I, "did your Prophet permit polygamy, and set so -bad an example? for while he limited his followers to four wives, he -obtained a peculiar dispensation to have nine himself, besides 'Slaves -of his right hand.'"[100] - -Meerza Aga Meer, who is a holy Syed, and consequently of the Prophet's -family, took the word, as he is wont to do upon all occasions when he -hears a name so sacred irreverently treated. - -"The reasons of Mahomed (on whom be the blessing of God)," said the -Meerza, calmly, "are inscrutable; but as far as his acts can be judged -by erring mortals, or considered otherwise than as proceeding from -Divine authority, we may believe that in permitting polygamy, he -only followed the custom of the Jews; in whose Prophet, Moses, you -Christians, as well as we Musselmans, believe. The limitation to four -legitimate wives was intended as a check, no doubt, upon those habits -of sensual indulgence, into which not only the affluent of the Jews, -but the Pagan Arabs, had fallen; and it was the enormity of their -vices which led our Prophet to denounce such severe punishment now and -hereafter upon those who continued to follow wicked courses. - -"There is no doubt," said Aga Meer, "that the custom to which you -have alluded, of very early marriages, and the effects of climate and -sedentary habits, bring on a premature old age in many of our females. -But after all, the number who take advantage of the license to have -a plurality of wives is not near so great as you imagine. Take a -thousand Persians and you will not find ten with more than two wives, -and not thirty with more than one. Who can afford it? The expense of -a marriage, the maintenance of females, and, above all, the dower -which is required, and which remaining at the lady's sole disposal, -is independent of that inheritance to which she and her children are -entitled from the remainder of the husband's property, are insuperable -objections. - -"You speak," said he, addressing himself to me, "as if your pity -were limited to our ladies; if you were more intimately acquainted -with the condition of us husbands, we should have some share of your -sympathy. Jaffier Ali has already explained to you some of the rights -and privileges of our ladies, which are usually supported by a host -of relations, but he has not enumerated one half. We may, it is true, -escape from one wife by marrying another; but if we are not rich, such -a proceeding involves the giving up most of our comforts in life. What -I have said applies to men of moderate means; and as to the great mass -of the population who live by their labour, few can support two wives. -If you have any doubts respecting the equality of condition of their -partners, do but listen now and then near their houses, and you will -hear a shrill and sharp voice rating the supposed lord and master in a -manner which will instantly relieve your mind from any anxiety you may -now feel for the rights of the softer sex in Persia." - -This sally of the good Meer produced the more mirth, from its being -unusual for him to depart from his gravity. But resuming his serious -air, he continued; "Mahomedan women have never real power until they -have offspring. Mader, or the mother, is, from the prince to the -peasant, the chief object of affection and respect. On her not only -domestic concerns, but the making of marriages usually depends. The -care and indulgence she bestows upon her children is often in strong -contrast to the neglect and harshness of the father, which deepens -the impression of gratitude they entertain for her during life. This -sentiment is so general, that nothing causes such complete loss of -character as want of love and duty towards a mother. - -"Have you studied our law," said Meerza Aga Meer to me, "particularly -that part of it which relates to property and inheritance?" I -confesssed I had not given the subject that attention it merited. "I -thought so," said the Meer, "or you would not have judged so lightly of -the condition of our females." - -"It is," said the Meer, "the possession of property, and the right of -inheriting and using it, which gives respect and consequence to persons -with others as well as themselves. Now you will find, both by the -Koran, which is the fountain of our law, and by the commentaries, which -are streams from that sacred source, that females have equal rights -with males to use property; and their claim to inheritance, though -somewhat smaller, as is the case in other countries, is on a scale that -shows the light in which they are held by our laws and institutions." - -The Meerza supported his argument by more quotations from the book of -Mahomed, from traditions, and commentaries by learned doctors, than I -shall repeat. The sum of it, however, was to this effect, that a woman -who has property of her own, which includes her dower, has full command -of it during her life. At her death the husband has half if there are -no children, and a fourth if there are. The remainder is divided among -them equally, females having the same share as males. - -When the husband dies, his wife or wives (legally married) inherit one -fourth of his property, if there are no children; if there are, the -wife or wives have only one eighth: but this is always independent of -the dower or settlement made at the period of marriage. - -If a man leave an only daughter or grand-daughter, she has the half of -his estate; if two or more, they have two-thirds. If he leave a son -and daughters, the son has the share of two females, besides becoming, -after the shares are allotted, the heir-general or residuary legatee. - -The daughters born in wedlock have their allotted shares of -inheritance, but in no case can they become heirs to any property -beyond that amount, except to their manumitted slave. On the death of -such a person they have a right to share as a relation, and can inherit -as heirs. "The following text of the Koran is curious," said the Meer, -"and merits to be quoted: 'There is not among women any heiress except -her who kindly freed the enslaved neck.'" - -"All you have said," I observed, "is very well. I understand the -rights of your legitimate wives and daughters; but what becomes of the -numerous progeny of slaves and others of the Harem?" - -"What becomes of your illegitimate children in England?" replied the -Meer, with more asperity than was usual to him; but my attack had -roused him. "If," he continued, "the book which was written by Meerza -Aboo Talib, who travelled in your country, is at all true, a great -proportion of your females and their offspring are in a much more -miserable and degraded state than any in our country! But perhaps," -said he, in a milder tone, "Aboo Talib has exaggerated, which -travellers are in the habit of doing." - -I made no answer, for I thought of the parable of the "mote and the -beam," and turned the conversation from this part of the subject by -asking whether a man or woman could not bequeath their property, "I -am no Moollah," said Aga Meer, "to give a precise answer to such a -question; but I know this, they can bestow it during life, and I -believe that though, according to the strict interpretation of the -Koran, pious or charitable bequests are alone legal, others are -attended to by the judges when not very injurious or improper. I -conclude this is the case, by my knowledge that wills are frequently -made; but I am," he repeated, "no Moollah." - -"That you are not a Moollah, I am very glad," said Jaffier Ali, "for -I never can understand these doctors of our law; they have always so -many reasons to state on both sides of every question, that they quite -confuse me, and I really believe that wise and learned as they are, -they often confuse themselves." "There is nothing, I can assure you, -sir," said Jaffier Ali to me "that these Moollahs like better than -advocating the cause of our ladies, who, what with their aid, and that -of other supporters, as well as their own spirit, have, I think, more -than an equal share of power and authority." - -"But why," said I, "if they have this power, and such rights of -property, are they cooped up, and never allowed to stir abroad without -veils? with such usages how can they attain that knowledge of the world -which is necessary to enable them to perform their duties?" - -"As to cooping up," said Aga Meer, who here resumed the contest, -"Jaffier Ali has already explained the indulgences they have, in going -abroad, and seeing their friends at home; and with respect to wearing -veils, what you deem a punishment they consider a distinction, and look -down with pity on the women of the Eelyat tribes and others, who do not -follow this custom. - -"I do not exactly know," said he, "what you mean by a knowledge of the -world; nor do I distinctly understand the benefits you expect them to -derive from such knowledge. "We," he added, smiling, "consider that -loving and obeying their husbands, giving proper attention to their -children, and their domestic duties, are the best occupations for -females." - -"That is," I replied, "your females are either the slaves of your -pleasures, or drudges to perform the work of your house. This is their -lot in the present world, and in the next, though you do not exclude -them from heaven, you only allow, even to the most virtuous, as I said -before, half the joys which are destined for a good man. They are in -fact neither treated nor instructed in a manner that can elevate them -to the rank which God meant them to hold, as the companions and friends -of man; and, in the condition in which your laws and usages place them, -they never can have that respect for themselves, nor receive it from -others, which is essential to form a civilized community." - -"But," said the Meer, "we are not a civilized community, such as you -allude to; some of our ladies, whose husbands or fathers are learned -men, have considerable knowledge, and many of these have received -an excellent education." "This," said I, "is a fact of which I am -aware; my friend Jaffier Ali, who married the daughter of a physician, -informed me how well the mind of his consort had been cultivated by her -wise and pious father, and I have seen a small volume of poems copied -by her, which he means to present to the Elchee; but I consider her, -and some others with similar endowments, as exceptions to the general -rule." - -"Very fortunately," replied Aga Meer, "they are exceptions: if the -majority of our females were so well instructed, they would be far -before their fathers and husbands, and that would never do. Changes -must begin with the men or we shall have all in confusion. - -"With respect to the difference of rewards and punishments between the -male and female sex, it has been considered," said the Meer, "that as -the latter have not the same opportunities of acquiring knowledge, -their responsibility should be less, and it is decreed that they shall -only receive for any crime half the punishment that would be inflicted -upon a man. The same principle, in reference to their good actions, -has led to their being only deemed entitled to half the enjoyment that -a man can attain in the next world. But this is a point," said the -Meer, "that I do not well comprehend. It has puzzled many of our wisest -Moollahs, and volumes upon volumes of contradictory opinions have been -written by the expounders of the Koran, upon the duties, rewards, and -punishments of women here and hereafter; God alone knows who is right -and who is wrong." - -"I know as little as you or the Moollahs either," said Jaffier Ali, -"of what will be the lot of our ladies in the next world, but I am -positive they enjoy plenty of power in this. Really, my good friend," -said he, addressing me, "if you could get a peep behind the curtain, -you would find that from the palace of the king to the hut of the -peasant, some personage, either in the shape of a wife or a mother, -secretly or openly rules the whole household, the master not excepted. -Some men, in the hope of preserving their authority, marry a woman of -low connexions, or a slave, who cannot claim a dower. Such wives, being -pennyless and unsupported by relations, will, they expect, continue -mild and submissive, and neither give themselves airs nor leave the -house in a pet. These wary gentlemen, however, are often disappointed; -for if the partners they select are handsome and beloved, they too -become tyrants and tormentors." - -"That may be," said Mahomed Hoosein Khan, who had hitherto listened to -our discussion with much more patience than I had expected, "but in -such a case a man becomes a slave of his own passions, which is far -better than selling himself, as many do, to be the slave of those of -an arrogant woman, who, from superior birth or great wealth, considers -herself as the ruler of him she has condescended to espouse." - -Hajee Hoosein, on hearing this remark, eagerly exclaimed, "How exactly -that was the case with Sadee! 'My termagant of a wife,' (said that wise -man), 'with whom, after my release from the Christians at Tripoli,[101] -I had received a dower of a hundred dinars, one day addressed me in a -reproachful tone, and asked, 'Are not you the contemptible wretch whom -my father ransomed from the slavery of the Franks at the cost of ten -dinars?' 'Yes,' I replied, 'I am the same wretch whom he delivered from -the infidels for ten dinars, and enslaved to you for one hundred!'" - -"Poor Sadee!" said Khan Sahib, with a half sigh that indicated -fellow-feeling: "but," added he, "there is a possibility of escape from -such a condition. I will tell you a story of an acquaintance of mine, -who had the good fortune to terrify one of these high-born shrews into -good behaviour, but his success, as you will hear, was of no benefit to -his friends. - -"Sadik Beg was of good family, handsome in person, and possessed of -both sense and courage; but he was poor, having no property but his -sword and his horse, with which he served as a gentleman retainer of -a nabob. The latter, satisfied of the purity of Sadik's descent, and -entertaining a respect for his character, determined to make him the -husband of his daughter Hooseinee, who, though beautiful, as her name -implied, was remarkable for her haughty manner and ungovernable temper. - -"Giving a husband of the condition of Sadik Beg to a lady of -Hooseinee's rank was, according to usage in such unequal matches, like -giving her a slave, and as she heard a good report of his personal -qualities, she offered no objections to the marriage, which was -celebrated soon after it was proposed, and apartments were assigned to -the happy couple in the nabob's palace. - -"Some of Sadik Beg's friends rejoiced in his good fortune; as they saw, -in the connexion he had formed, a sure prospect of his advancement. -Others mourned the fate of so fine and promising a young man, now -condemned to bear through life all the humours of a proud and -capricious woman; but one of his friends, a little man called Merdek, -who was completely henpecked, was particularly rejoiced, and quite -chuckled at the thought of seeing another in the same condition with -himself. - -"About a month after the nuptials Merdek met his friend, and with -malicious pleasure wished him joy of his marriage. 'Most sincerely do I -congratulate you, Sadik,' said he, 'on this happy event!' 'Thank you, -my good fellow, I am very happy indeed, and rendered more so by the joy -I perceive it gives my friends.' 'Do you really mean to say you are -happy?' said Merdek, with a smile. 'I really am so,' replied Sadik. -'Nonsense,' said his friend; 'do we not all know to what a termagant -you are united? and her temper and high rank combined must no doubt -make her a sweet companion.' Here he burst into a loud laugh, and the -little man actually strutted with a feeling of superiority over the -bridegroom. - -"Sadik, who knew his situation and feelings, was amused instead of -being angry. 'My friend,' said he, 'I quite understand the grounds of -your apprehension for my happiness. Before I was married I had heard -the same reports as you have done of my beloved bride's disposition; -but I am happy to say I have found it quite otherwise: she is a most -docile and obedient wife.' 'But how has this miraculous change been -wrought?' 'Why,' said Sadik, 'I believe I have some merit in effecting -it, but you shall hear. - -"'After the ceremonies of our nuptials were over, I went in my military -dress, and with my sword by my side, to the apartment of Hooseinee. She -was sitting in a most dignified posture to receive me, and her looks -were anything but inviting. As I entered the room a beautiful cat, -evidently a great favourite, came purring up to me. I deliberately drew -my sword, struck its head off, and taking that in one hand and the body -in the other, threw them out of the window. I then very unconcernedly -turned to the lady, who appeared in some alarm: she, however, made -no observations, but was in every way kind and submissive, and has -continued so ever since.' - -"'Thank you, my dear fellow,' said little Merdek, with a significant -shake of the head--'a word to the wise;' and away he capered, obviously -quite rejoiced. - -"It was near evening when this conversation took place; soon after, -when the dark cloak of night had enveloped the bright radiance of day, -Merdek entered the chamber of his spouse, with something of a martial -swagger, armed with a scimitar. The unsuspecting cat came forward -to welcome the husband of her mistress, but in an instant her head -was divided from her body by a blow from the hand which had so often -caressed her. Merdek having proceeded so far courageously, stooped to -take up the dissevered members of the cat, but before he could effect -this, a blow upon the side of the head from his incensed lady laid him -sprawling on the floor. - -"The tattle and scandal of the day spreads from zenaneh to zenaneh -with surprising rapidity, and the wife of Merdek saw in a moment whose -example it was that he imitated. 'Take that,' said she, as she gave him -another cuff, 'take that, you paltry wretch; you should,' she added, -laughing him to scorn, 'have killed the cat on the wedding day.'" - -We were all highly entertained with Khan Sahib's story, which closed -the discussion upon the rights, privileges, and usages of Persian -ladies; but though I left the party satisfied that these were -greater than I imagined, I continued unchanged in my opinion that -the civilization of Mahomedan countries must ever be retarded by the -condition assigned to the female sex by their Prophet, who, though he -neither denies that they have souls, nor shuts the gates of Paradise -against them, yet gives them only half the responsibility, half the -punishment, and half the enjoyments assigned here and hereafter to the -lords of the creation. - -Some days after our discussion concerning the rights of Mahomedan -ladies, I had a long conversation with Aga Meer as to divorces. These, -he told me, were very rare in Persia, it being deemed a greater scandal -for a man to put away his wife than for a woman to be divorced. - -The usual ground of such a proceeding is a sudden fit of passion or -jealousy. That is followed by repentance, and the lady is taken back. -"But here," he added, "the law has interposed to prevent the abuse -of this indulgence by capricious husbands. If a man pronounces three -divorces against a free woman, or two against a slave,[102] he can -lawfully wed neither of them again unless they have been espoused by -another, and this second husband dies, or shall divorce them." - -When it happens that a husband wishes to recover his wife whom he had -divorced in a passion, a convenient husband is sought; but the law -forbids a mockery being made of such marriages. They may be short in -duration, but the parties must live during the period they are united -as man and wife. - -The consequence of this law is, that none but those who add to caprice -and passion, doting fondness for the lady, will ever seek a re-union -that is attended with such indelicacy and shame. Nevertheless, this -proceeding sometimes takes place, and no doubt often gives rise to -extraordinary incidents. These become the groundwork of many an amusing -tale, in which the imagination of the narrator has ample range for -exaggeration without exceeding the bounds of possibility. - -In all the stories I ever heard, grounded on divorces, the lady -is always young and beautiful, the husband old, ugly, rich, and -passionate; and the person chosen to be the medium of regaining the -wife is, though apparently in such distress that a few piastres will -tempt him to act the part required, usually a lover in disguise, or one -who becomes, like the Cymon of our great poet, animated by love of the -object with whom he is united, to a degree that transforms the supposed -clod into a perfect hero of romance, who rather than give up the fair -lady, who prefers him, to her old mate, suffers every hardship, and -braves every danger in pursuance of her plans and intrigues to prevent -their separation. The framing of the plot is invariably given to the -female, and it is often such as to do honour to the genius of the sex. - - -In the Arabian Tales on this subject Haroon-oor-Rasheed, and his vizier -Bermekee, are employed to aid the lovers in their night wanderings -in Bagdad. In Persia Shah Abbas the Great, and his minister, act the -part of the caliph and his vizier, and both parties are described as -promoting by their advice, generosity, and power, the happiness of the -new married couple, and bringing to shame the old hunks of a husband -and the corrupt ministers of justice, whom his wealth had bribed to -lend their endeavours to compel the lovers by all kinds of threats and -punishments to consent to a separation. - -The stories on this subject are of infinite variety, nor will a well -practised story-teller give any tale twice in the same words, or with -the same incidents. - -Moollah Adeenah, the story-teller to his majesty, of whom I shall have -occasion to speak hereafter, told me, that he considered it as much as -his head was worth to tell a tale twice without variations to the king -of kings. - -"Besides my own invention," said he, "I have a great book, containing -anecdotes on all subjects, and an infinite quantity of amusing matter, -which I select at pleasure, and adapt my story to the circumstances of -the moment, and to the characters of those who form my audience." - -There are no tales in Persia that undergo more changes than those which -relate to divorces. The different sects of Mahomedans hold different -doctrines on this head, and the story-teller must not offend any of his -auditors. Besides, there is often a fear of personal allusions, which -compels him to remove his characters from one country to another, to -keep them out of harm's way; as my Uncle Toby advised Trim to do with -his giants, in that best of all good stories, "The King of Bohemia and -his seven Castles." - -I have heard a celebrated story of a merchant called Hajee Salah -Kej-Khoolk, the cross-grained, told in four or five different ways, and -particularly that incident in his life relating to his having, in one -of those bursts of passion to which he was liable, divorced, for the -third time, a beautiful young female of high rank, whose parents this -old, ugly, ill-humoured, wealthy man, had bribed, by settling a large -dowry upon her. - -According to the edition of this tale, which will serve as a specimen -of those grounded on divorces, the old Hajee was at the town of -Nishapoor in Khorassan, when in a violent fit of rage he pronounced the -last divorce upon the lady, whose name was Maidee. - -She immediately left his house and went to her parents. They, though -moved at first by the tears with which she implored them to assist -her in resisting all proposals for a re-union with a husband whom she -abhorred, soon gave way to the worldly motives which induced them to -desire her return to a person who was continually making them presents, -and who was now more generous than ever, in the hope of inducing them -to promote his interests with one of whom, notwithstanding his conduct, -he was distractedly fond. - -Maidee seeing no other opportunity of escape from the continued -importunities to which she was exposed, listened to the proposals made -through the old nurse, of a youth of the name of Omar, who, though -poor, was of a respectable family, and whose sister was one of the -wives of the governor of the town. This sister had seen Maidee at the -public bath, and it was the account which she gave of her surprising -beauty and great dower that determined Omar to try every means to make -her his wife. - -The good nurse, who was attached to the family of Omar, painted his -personal appearance and qualities to Maidee in such colours, that she -was quite willing to allow him to be the instrument of her deliverance. -The plot was soon settled; Maidee, with affected reluctance, consented -to the proposals of Hajee Salah for a re-union, provided the person -chosen to be her husband for twenty-four hours was of respectable -family and good appearance. These conditions she insisted upon as -indispensable to her reputation. Besides she now also pretended that -absence had revived her regard for the old Hajee, and she desired the -merit of showing (by the sacrifice of a husband whom many might prefer -to him) that her attachment was sincere. - -The old merchant, in raptures at the prospect of repossessing his -favourite, agreed to all she proposed. An agent was immediately -appointed to look out for a person of the description she desired, -but whose circumstances were such as to make him consent to act the -discreditable part of a convenient husband. - -Omar threw himself in the way of this agent, and contrived to utter in -his hearing boastings of his family, complaints of his relatives, and -of the consequent poverty and despair to which he was reduced. "If I -had been a dishonourable fellow," said he (speaking to a companion, but -loud enough for the agent to hear), "and one that could have consented -to break my pledged word, I might have made my fortune; but, thank -God, I am not such a man: I would embrace ruin, and encounter death a -thousand times before I would depart from or violate any promise I had -made. I have made up my mind to leave Nishapoor; why should I remain? -I know not that I shall have a morsel to eat to-morrow." So saying -he abruptly quitted his friend, and walked down the street. He was -followed by the agent, who saw, in the respectability of his family, -his poverty, and above all his determined adherence to his word, the -very person of whom he was in search. - -Omar stopped under some trees at the skirts of the town, where the -agent came up to him. "A fine evening," said the latter. "I am -indifferent as to the state of the weather," replied the apparently -agitated Omar. "You seem to have some distress of mind?" "That cannot -concern you," said the youth. "You know not," said the wily agent; -"aid often comes through means the least expected: if you confide your -griefs to me, humble as I appear, I may be able to administer relief." -This and some more soothing speeches led Omar with apparent reluctance -to open his heart and relate his story. - -He was, he told the agent, the youngest son of a Turkuman chief, well -known in the plains of Kipchak. He had lately offended his father, by -refusing to reveal the place of concealment of a man to whom he had -promised protection, and was therefore banished from his presence. He -had made an offer of his services at Nishapoor; but after these were -accepted, he had been compelled to abandon this prospect, and to part -with his horse, his sword, and all he possessed in the world, rather -than violate a pledge he had given to an unfortunate friend, whose -debts he had just paid by expending the last dinar he had in the world. -"But," he added, "to-morrow's sun will not find me in Nishapoor; I -shall trust my stars to guide me to some land where I may be more -fortunate." - -The agent praised his high sense of honour; and, after much -circumlocution, proposed to present him with a hundred tomans, -provided he would consent to marry the beautiful Maidee one day, -divorce her the next, and instantly quit the country never to return. - -Omar pretended at first to be highly indignant at a proposal which -he thought derogatory to his honour: but his scruples were gradually -removed, and he at length took the money and pledged that word and -honour, which had hitherto been his ruin, that he would do everything -which was required. - -No time was lost in preparing the contract of marriage; the nuptials -were celebrated with all due ceremony, and the new-married couple -remained alone in a house in a retired part of the town, which had been -prepared for them. When Maidee was unveiled, her beauty far exceeded -all that the imagination of Omar had dared to depict her. He was in -raptures, and she was equally enchanted with him. They mutually vowed -that whatever was the success of their plan, no power should ever -separate them. - -The dawn of the following morning found Hajee Salah at the door, -anxious to abridge the happiness of the lovers as much as the law -would permit. He had knocked several times and called to the inmates -without receiving any answer, when he was nearly stunned by a blow on -the head, and turning round, saw a savage looking Turkuman mounted on -a large horse, armed with a long spear, with the shaft of which he had -inflicted the blow. "Hold my horse," said the fellow as he dismounted, -"while I go into the house." "You have two hands, you old rascal," -said another savage, giving him a second blow, and making him hold the -horse on which he rode. Before the poor Hajee could recover from his -surprise, a party of twenty Turkumans, with their chief, were around -him. He showed an intention of escaping, but that only produced an -order for his being put to death if he attempted to move from the spot. - -"Where is the darling boy?" exclaimed the chief; "I have forgiven him -all: I long to clasp him in my arms!" "Renowned Kadir Beg," said one -of his followers, who had just come out of the house, "you have more -to forgive than you are aware of; your son is married." "Married!" -exclaimed the old chief. "Is the blood of the first race on the plains -of Kipchak contaminated? Has he married the daughter of a citizen of -Nishapoor?" "No," said the man, "she belongs to a family of rank; she -is beautiful as the full moon, and has besides a rich dower; having -been divorced, in a fit of passion, by an ill-tempered wealthy old -merchant, who was wholly unworthy of her, but who threatens to take -this inestimable pearl from your highness's son Omar Beg." - -"Where is the old villain," said the chief, "that dares to claim any -one whom I protect?" and he struck his spear on the ground in a rage -that made Hajee Salah tremble for his life; "but let me see and embrace -my long lost boy." He went into the house, but soon returning, directed -two of his finest led horses to be brought to the door, on one of which -Omar was mounted, and on the other his bride; and away they rode at -full speed. - -Three men were left behind; two remained in the house; and the third -guarded Hajee Salah, who stood trembling and holding the two horses, -inwardly cursing himself and his agent for selecting a wild Turkuman as -a convenient bridegroom to a beautiful Persian lady. - -After a delay of some hours the Turkumans followed their companions. -The house at which this scene occurred had been so cautiously selected -by Hajee Salah to avoid observation, that nobody observed what was -passing. The moment he was relieved he ran to the palace of the -governor, calling aloud for justice. The governor had gone a hunting, -and was not expected till night. When he returned he was so fatigued -that he could not be seen till next day. Then so many proofs were -required, and so many delays took place, that the Hajee began to -suspect the ruler of the city was in league with the Turkuman chief. -But when he afterwards learnt that the whole was a contrivance, that -Omar's sister was the wife of the governor, and that the parents -of Maidee had been reconciled to the marriage, all hope of redress -vanished, and he immediately left Nishapoor, amid the laughter of high -and low, for all seemed equally delighted at what had happened to -Hajee Salah, the cross-grained. His name has ever since been recorded -in story, as an example of the fate which awaits age and ill temper -when they aspire to possess youth and beauty, without knowing how to -appreciate and guard such blessings, when they have obtained them. - -FOOTNOTES: - -[99] Fatima-ool-Masoomah. - -[100] This phrase is applied to those slaves acquired in wars with -infidels. - -[101] Tripoli in Syria: the Christians must have been some of the -Crusaders. - -[102] The same principle which subjects slaves to only half punishment -for crimes, renders them liable to less suffering from the caprice of -the man who marries them. The husband should, strictly speaking, only -have the power to pronounce one divorce and a half on a slave: but the -fraction puzzled the doctors of the law, and they have agreed it should -be two divorces. - - - - -CHAPTER XVI. - - Departure from Koom--Pool-e-Dellak--Derya-e-Kebeer--Valley of the - Shadow of Death--Story of a Ghool--Remarks on Persian Poetry. - - -From the city of Koom we proceeded to Sooltaneah, where the king was -encamped; but I cannot allow my reader to arrive at that place before -he has accompanied me to Teheran with the first mission, and heard the -account of its reception, and a description of Fettih Ali Shah and his -court, before these became familiar with envoys and travellers from -Calcutta, London, Paris, and St. Petersburgh. - -Our first stage towards Teheran was to a place called Pool-e-Dellak, or -the Barber's Bridge; which, according to the tale of those who lived at -the village in the vicinity, was built by the barber of Shah Abbas the -Great, to save others from a danger which he himself narrowly escaped, -of being drowned when crossing this river. - -This munificent barber, we were informed, was very wealthy, as many -of his profession are in Persia. Their skill in shaving the heads and -trimming the beards of kings and nobles, though highly prized, is -subordinate to that which they display as attendants at the warm bath. -It is on their superior address in rubbing, pinching, joint-cracking, -and cleansing the human frame at the hummums that their fame is -established. The luxury of the bath in Persia is enjoyed by all, from -the highest to the lowest. These baths are always good, and often -splendid buildings. They are sought by the lower classes as essential -to health in persons who seldom wear, and when they do, seldomer -change their under garments. The higher ranks indulge in them to still -greater excess, and in their progress through the various apartments -of graduated heat, from the outer saloon to the houz or fountain of -the inner bath, they are waited upon by different domestics, who, -besides aiding to undress and dress them, serve them with every species -of refreshment. Among these attendants the man of most consequence is -the dellak or barber. For he who has the honour to bathe and shave a -king must not only be perfect in his art, but also a man altogether -trustworthy; and confidence amongst eastern rulers is usually followed -by favour, and with favour comes fortune. This accounts for barbers -building bridges in Persia! - -I was one day speaking to my friend Meerza Aga of the munificence of -the barber of the great Abbas, in a manner which implied doubt of the -fact. He observed he knew not whether the barbers of the Seffavean -monarchs built bridges, but "I do know," he said, "that the Khasterash -(literally personal shaver) of our present sovereign has, in the -abundance of his wealth, built a palace for himself close to the royal -bath at Teheran. Then," said the good Meerza, "he is entitled to -riches, for he is a man of pre-eminent excellence in his art, and has -had for a long period under his special care the magnificent beard of -his majesty, which is at this moment, and has been for years, the pride -of Persia." - -"Well," I replied, "if your personal shaver has built such a mansion, I -will no longer doubt the wealth of the barber of Shah Abbas, for that -monarch, though he wore no beard, had, we are told by travellers, and -observe from paintings, a noble pair of mustachoes, of which he is said -to have been very proud; and the trimmer of which no doubt was, as he -deserved to be, a great favourite." - -This conversation led to a long dissertation on mustachoes and beards, -upon which subject my travels to countries that my Persian friends had -never seen enabled me to give them much useful information. - -I told them many stories about the Sikhs, a nation dwelling between -the territories of Cabool and India, who, devoting their beards and -whiskers to the goddess of destruction, are always prompt to destroy -any one who meddles with them; and who, from a combined feeling of -religion and honour, look upon the preservation of life itself as -slight in comparison with the preservation of a hair of their beards. - -I next informed them how beards, whiskers, and mustachoes were -once honoured in Europe. I told them an anecdote of the great John -De Castro, a former governor of Goa, the capital of the Portuguese -possessions in India. He being in want of a considerable loan from -the citizens of Goa for a military expedition, was at a loss for an -adequate security[103]. His first intention was to pledge the bones -of his gallant son Don Fernando, who had recently fallen in battle; -but finding, on opening the grave, that the carcass was putrid, he -offered, as next dear to his personal honour, a lock of his cherished -mustachoes. This security was accepted, but immediately returned with -more than the amount required; young and old vying with each other who -should show most respect to so valuable a pledge. - -The Persians of my audience twisted their mustachoes with a combined -feeling of pleasure and pride on hearing this testimony to the value -of that ornament of the visage; and Khan Sahib, who was one of the -party, said to me with a smile, "You gentlemen with the mission wear -mustachoes in compliance with the prejudices of the Persians; but is -it true that many officers of your cavalry now wear them, and that -they are again likely to become popular in England?" I said, perhaps -they might; adding, I had no doubt that would be the case, if there -appeared the slightest chance of their ever turning to account in the -money-market, like those of John de Castro. - -But I must quit this curious and interesting subject to proceed with -my narration. At Pool-e-Dellak the Elchee received letters from the -prime minister Hajee Ibrahim, congratulating him upon his near approach -to the capital. "My house," the Hajee wrote, "is assigned for your -residence; and I am to be honoured by having you as my guest as long as -you remain at the abode of sovereignty." - -The minister also addressed letters to the mehmandar and to the -secretaries of the Elchee, to inquire the exact time of his intended -entry into Teheran, and to learn the hours at which he took his meals, -the dishes of which he was fondest, and every other minute particular -that could enable him to perform the task he had undertaken to his own -satisfaction and that of the king, whom he represented as very anxious -that every thing should be done to honour and please the British -representatives. - -From the Barber's Bridge to our next stage was nearly fifty miles. We -crossed a salt desert,[104] which Hajee Hoosein informed me, as he -handed me the long snake of the kellian, was once a sea; but at the -birth of Mahomed it dried up, and thus became one of the many miracles -to testify the importance to the world of that auspicious event. - -The change of surface, from a crust of white clay impregnated with -salt, to a stony plain, indicated that we had passed the desert. We -immediately afterwards came to a rugged and broken road, through the -most frightful precipices and ravines I had ever seen. "I wish these -ravines had been made smooth at your prophet's birth," I said to my -friend the Hajee, who continued riding along with me. "Here also," -said he, in a half alarmed voice, "a miracle was effected, but it was -not completed. This dreadful place is called the 'Valley of the Angel -of Death.'[105] That terrific minister of God's wrath, according to -tradition, has resting-places upon the earth, and this is one of his -favourite abodes. He is surrounded by ghools, horrid beings, who, when -he takes away life, feast upon the carcasses. - -"The natural shape of these monsters," said Hajee Hoosein, "is -terrible; but they can assume those of animals, such as cows or camels, -or whatever they choose, often appearing to men as their relations or -friends, and then they do not only transform their shapes, but their -voices also are altered. The frightful screams and yells, which are -often heard amid these dreaded ravines, are changed for the softest and -most melodious notes; unwary travellers, deluded by the appearance of -friends, or captivated by the forms, and charmed by the music, of these -demons, are allured from their path, and after feasting for a few hours -on every luxury, are consigned to destruction. - -"The number of these ghools," said the Hajee, "has greatly decreased -since the birth of the prophet, and they have no power to hurt those -who pronounce his name in sincerity of faith. But, what is that?" said -he, spurring his horse, and upsetting the top of the kullean which he -had in his hand, while he repeated aloud the name of Mahomet, which -now resounded through the line. I was myself not a little startled at -seeing a camel, which is one of the shapes the ghools take, but found, -on recovering from my momentary alarm, that it was one of our own, -which, trying to pass a little to the right of our path, had fallen -over a precipice with its load. - -When the Hajee rejoined me, he was far from being convinced that the -camel which had fallen was the same he had at first seen. "It was -probable," he said, "that a ghool, by the shape he assumed, had enticed -our animal to follow him, and the latter would certainly have been lost -but for my presence of mind and timely exclamations. These creatures," -he added, "are the very lowest of the supernatural world, and, besides -being timid, are extremely stupid, and consequently often imposed upon -by artful men. I will recount you," he said, "a story that is well -authenticated, to prove that what I say is just." I told him I was all -attention, and he commenced his tale. - -"You know," said he, "that the natives of Isfahan, though not brave, -are the most crafty and acute people upon earth, and often supply the -want of courage by their address. An inhabitant of that city was once -compelled to travel alone at night through this dreadful valley. He -was a man of ready wit, and fond of adventures, and, though no lion, -had great confidence in his cunning, which had brought him through a -hundred scrapes and perils that would have embarrassed or destroyed -your simple man of valour. - -"This man, whose name was Ameen Beg, had heard many stories of the -ghools of the 'Valley of the Angel of Death,' and thought it likely he -might meet one. He prepared accordingly, by putting an egg and a lump -of salt in his pocket. He had not gone far amidst the rocks we have -just passed, when he heard a voice crying 'Holloa, Ameen Beg Isfahanee! -you are going the wrong road, you will lose yourself; come this way; -I am your friend Kerreem Beg; I know your father, old Kerbela Beg, -and the street in which you were born.' Ameen knew well the power the -ghools had of assuming the shape of any person they choose; and he -also knew their skill as genealogists, and their knowledge of towns as -well as families; he had therefore little doubt this was one of those -creatures alluring him to destruction. He, however, determined to -encounter him, and trust to his art for his escape. - -"'Stop, my friend, till I come near you,' was his reply. When Ameen -came close to the Ghool, he said, 'You are not my friend Kerreem, you -are a lying demon, but you are just the being I desired to meet. I have -tried my strength against all the men and all the beasts which exist -in the natural world, and I can find nothing that is a match for me. I -came therefore to this valley in the hope of encountering a ghool, that -I might prove my prowess upon him.' - -"The Ghool, astonished at being addressed in this manner, looked -keenly at him, and said, 'Son of Adam, you do not appear so strong.' -'Appearances are deceitful,' replied Ameen, 'but I will give you a -proof of my strength. There,' said he, picking up a stone from a -rivulet, 'this contains a fluid; try if you can so squeeze it, that it -will flow out.' The Ghool took the stone, but after a short attempt -returned it, saying 'the thing is impossible.' 'Quite easy,' said the -Isfahanee, taking the stone and placing it in the hand in which he had -before put the egg: 'Look there!' and the astonished Ghool, while he -heard what he took for the breaking of the stone, saw the liquid run -from between Ameen's fingers, and this apparently without any effort. - -"Ameen, aided by the darkness, placed the stone upon the ground -while he picked up another of a darker hue. 'This,' said he, 'I can -see contains salt, as you will find if you can crumble it between -your fingers;' but the Ghool looking at it confessed he had neither -knowledge to discover its qualities, nor strength to break it. 'Give it -me,' said his companion impatiently, and having put it into the same -hand with the piece of salt, he instantly gave the latter all crushed -to the Ghool, who seeing it reduced to powder, tasted it, and remained -in stupid astonishment at the skill and strength of this wonderful -man. Neither was he without alarm lest his strength should be exerted -against himself, and he saw no safety in resorting to the shape of a -beast, for Ameen had warned him, that if he commenced any such unfair -dealing, he would instantly slay him; for ghools, though long-lived, -are not immortal. - -"Under such circumstances he thought his best plan was to conciliate -the friendship of his new companion, till he found an opportunity of -destroying him. - -"'Most wonderful man,' he said, 'will you honour my abode with your -presence; it is quite at hand: there you will find every refreshment; -and after a comfortable night's rest you can resume your journey.' - -"'I have no objection, friend Ghool, to accept your offer; but mark me, -I am, in the first place, very passionate, and must not be provoked -by any expressions which are in the least disrespectful; and in the -second, I am full of penetration, and can see through your designs as -clearly as I saw into that hard stone in which I discovered salt; so -take care you entertain none that are wicked, or you shall suffer.' - -"The Ghool declared that the ear of his guest should be pained by no -expression to which it did not befit his dignity to listen; and he -swore by the head of his liege lord, the Angel of Death, that he would -faithfully respect the rights of hospitality and friendship. - -"Thus satisfied, Ameen followed the Ghool through a number of crooked -paths, rugged cliffs, and deep ravines, till they came to a large -cave, which was dimly lighted. 'Here,' said the Ghool, 'I dwell, and -here my friend will find all he can want for refreshment and repose.' -So saying, he led him to various apartments, in which were hoarded -every species of grain, and all kinds of merchandise, plundered from -travellers who had been deluded to this den, and of whose fate Ameen -was too well informed by the bones over which he now and then stumbled, -and by the putrid smell produced by some half consumed carcasses. - -"'This will be sufficient for your supper, I hope,' said the Ghool, -taking up a large bag of rice; 'a man of your prowess must have a -tolerable appetite.' 'True,' said Ameen, 'but I eat a sheep and as -much rice as you have there before I proceeded on my journey. I am, -consequently, not hungry, but will take a little lest I offend your -hospitality.' 'I must boil it for you,' said the demon; 'you do not -eat grain and meat raw, as we do. Here is a kettle,' said he, taking up -one lying amongst the plundered property. 'I will go and get wood for a -fire, while you fetch water with that,' pointing to a bag made of the -hides of six oxen. - -"Ameen waited till he saw his host leave the cave for the wood, and -then with great difficulty he dragged the enormous bag to the bank of a -dark stream which issued from the rocks at the other end of the cavern, -and after being visible for a few yards disappeared under ground. - -"How shall I, thought Ameen, prevent my weakness being discovered; this -bag I could hardly manage when empty, when full it would require twenty -strong men to carry it; what shall I do? I shall certainly be eaten up -by this cannibal Ghool, who is now only kept in order by the impression -of my great strength. After some minutes' reflection, the Isfahanee -thought of a scheme, and began digging a small channel from the stream, -towards the place where his supper was preparing. - -"'What are you doing?' vociferated the Ghool, as he advanced towards -him; 'I sent you for water to boil a little rice and you have been an -hour about it. Cannot you fill the bag and bring it away?' 'Certainly -I can,' said Ameen. 'If I were content, after all your kindness, to -show my gratitude merely by feats of brute strength, I could lift your -stream if you had a bag large enough to hold it; but here,' said he, -pointing to the channel he had begun, 'here is the commencement of a -work in which the mind of a man is employed to lessen the labour of his -body. This canal, small as it may appear, will carry a stream to the -other end of the cave, in which I will construct a dam that you can -open and shut at pleasure, and thereby save yourself infinite trouble -in fetching water. But pray let me alone till it is finished,' and he -began to dig. 'Nonsense,' said the Ghool, seizing the bag and filling -it; 'I will carry the water myself, and I advise you to leave off your -canal, as you call it, and follow me, that you may eat your supper and -go to sleep; you may finish this fine work if you like it to-morrow -morning.' - -"Ameen congratulated himself on this escape, and was not slow in taking -the advice of his host. After having eat heartily of the supper that -was prepared, he went to repose on a bed made of the richest coverlets -and pillows, which were taken from one of the store-rooms of plundered -goods. The Ghool, whose bed was also in the cave, had no sooner laid -down than he fell into a sound sleep. The anxiety of Ameen's mind -prevented him from following his example: he rose gently, and having -stuffed a long pillow into the middle of this bed, to make it appear as -if he were still there, he retired to a concealed place in the cavern -to watch the proceedings of the Ghool. The latter awoke a short time -before daylight, and rising, went, without making any noise, towards -Ameen's bed, where not observing the least stir, he was satisfied that -his guest was in a deep sleep, so he took up one of his walking sticks, -which was in size like the trunk of a tree, and struck a terrible blow -at what he supposed to be Ameen's head. He smiled not to hear a groan, -thinking he had deprived him of life; but to make sure of his work, -he repeated the blow seven times. He then returned to rest, but had -hardly settled himself to sleep, when Ameen, who had crept into the -bed, raised his head above the clothes and exclaimed, 'Friend Ghool, -what insect could it be that has disturbed me by its tapping? I counted -the flap of its little wings seven times on the coverlet. These vermin -are very annoying, for though they cannot hurt a man, they disturb his -rest!' - -"The Ghool's dismay on hearing Ameen speak at all was great, but that -was increased to perfect fright when he heard him describe seven blows, -any one of which would have felled an elephant, as seven flaps of an -insect's wing. There was no safety, he thought, near so wonderful a -man, and he soon afterwards arose and fled from the cave, leaving the -Isfahanee its sole master. - -"When Ameen found his host gone, he was at no loss to conjecture the -cause, and immediately began to survey the treasures with which he was -surrounded, and to contrive means for removing them to his home. - -"After examining the contents of the cave, and arming himself with a -matchlock, which had belonged to some victim of the Ghool, he proceeded -to survey the road. He had, however only gone a short distance when he -saw the Ghool returning with a large club in his hand, and accompanied -by a fox. Ameen's knowledge of the cunning animal instantly led him to -suspect that it had undeceived his enemy, but his presence of mind did -not forsake him. 'Take that,' said he to the fox, aiming a ball at him -from his matchlock, and shooting him through the head; 'take that for -your not performing my orders. That brute,' said he, 'promised to bring -me seven ghools, that I might chain them, and carry them to Isfahan, -and here he has only brought you, who are already my slave.' So saying, -he advanced towards the Ghool; but the latter had already taken to -flight, and by the aid of his club bounded so rapidly over rocks and -precipices, that he was soon out of sight. - -"Ameen having well marked the path from the cavern to the road, went -to the nearest town and hired camels and mules to remove the property -he had acquired. After making restitution to all who remained alive to -prove their goods, he became, from what was unclaimed, a man of wealth, -all of which was owing to that wit and art which ever overcome brute -strength and courage." - -I was pleased with this tale, first as it bore so near a resemblance to -some parts of my earliest favourite, Jack the Giant Killer; and next as -the last incident of the fox bringing back the Ghool was an exact copy -of the story of the Goat and the Lion in the celebrated Hindu work, the -Pancha Tantra. - -The goat, according to the Hindu tale, took shelter during a storm -in the den of a lion; when he saw no chance of escape, he terrified -the king of the beasts by boasting of a celestial origin, and telling -him he had been condemned before he could return to Heaven to eat ten -elephants, ten tigers, and ten lions. He had, he said, eaten every -kind of animal but the lion; and saying this, he marched up to the -astonished monster, who fled by a back way from his den. The lion in -his flight met a fox, and described to him the appearance of the goat -(an animal he had never seen before), his horns, his strange beard, and -above all, his boasting language. The fox laughed, and told his majesty -how he had been tricked. They went back together, and met the goat at -the entrance of the den. The latter at once saw his danger, but his -wits did not forsake him. "What conduct is this, you scoundrel?" said -he to the fox: "I commanded you to get ten lions, and here you have -only brought me one;" so saying, he advanced boldly, and the lion, -again frightened by his words and actions, fled in terror, allowing the -goat to return quietly to his home. - -I narrated this story to my Persian friend, saying, "This proves to -me what I have long conjectured, that the greater part of your tales -are taken literally from the Hindus." "Is it not as likely they have -been stolen from us?" was his reply. "No," said I; "for their works in -which these tales are written are much older than any you have." "That -may be," said he, "but they are not older than Keiomerth, Housheng, or -Jemsheed. These were the glorious days of Persia, and no doubt it was -in their time the wily Hindus stole our stories; and if our conquering -swords have since made us masters of India, and we have plundered a few -tales along with other articles, why we have only recovered our own." - -Khan Sahib, who had been riding along with us, smoking his kellian, -but who had not as yet spoken a word, now, with much gravity, took up -the conversation. "I have listened," said he, "with great attention to -Hajee Hoosein's most wonderful tale of the Ghool, and," addressing me, -"to your supplement about a goat, a fox, and a lion. I shall store what -I have heard in my memory for the benefit of my excellent grandmother, -whom it is my duty to amuse. These tales shall also be given word for -word to my little children, who will no doubt be as much delighted as I -have been, to hear how a stupid monster was outwitted by a lying rogue, -and how an impudent goat frightened a valiant lion." - -"The dispute," said Khan Sahib, "regarding the invention of such -sublime productions, no doubt involves matter deeply associated with -the fame of the renowned empires of India and Persia; and, in the -present dearth of that article, I do think they are right in claiming -all they can for their ancestors." - -"I quite understand, my good friend," said I, "the contempt you -bestow upon the nursery tales with which the Hajee and I have been -entertaining each other; but, believe me, he who desires to be well -acquainted with a people will not reject their popular stories or local -superstitions. Depend upon it, that man is too far advanced into an -artificial state of society who is a stranger to the effects which -tales and stories like these have upon the feelings of a nation; and -his opinions of its character are never likely to be more erroneous -than when, in the pride of reason, he despises such means of forming -his judgment." - -"Well, well," said Khan Sahib, "there may be some truth in what you -say; and I am the more inclined to believe it, as all the learning and -philosophy which my good father endeavoured to instil into me never -wholly eradicated my early predilection for such stories. I wish not to -dispute the claim of our Indian neighbours to the merit of inventing -those maxims of wisdom, which have been delivered to posterity through -the mouths of cats, monkeys, goats, parrots, foxes, jackalls, and -lions. But," added he, "as far as the reputation of the creative genius -of Persia is concerned, I shall remain content with the wonders of the -Shah-nameh, told as they are in the language of the immortal Firdousee." - -Though I could not give up my fondness for fables, I was quite ready to -concur with my friend in his admiration of Firdousee, and nothing more -was necessary to make him dilate upon this favourite work. His memory -is extraordinary; and while I listened with pleasure to his recitation -of several of the most ancient, and at the same time most beautiful -passages of Persian poetry, I was instructed by his critical remarks, -for he combines, with a knowledge of the European taste for simplicity, -a love for Asiatic splendour of diction; and is particularly versed in -those allusions in which their poetry abounds. He recited to me, from -the Shah-nameh, the greater part of the episode of the combats between -Roostem and his unknown son Soohrab. - -This episode, in the first lines of which the poet tells his reader, -"It is a tale full of the waters of the eye,"[106] is perhaps one of -the greatest efforts of Firdousee's genius; and he rises even above -himself in the relation of the death of Soohrab and the insanity of his -distracted mother. - -The effect produced on the unhappy princess by the account of her son's -death is instantaneous. She sets fire to her palace, desiring, when he -who constituted her sole object in life was gone, to perish amid that -splendour, which she salued on his account alone. Torn from the flames -by her attendants, she commanded them to bring the body of her son, his -horse, his arms, and his clothes. - -"She kissed the horse's forehead, she bathed its hoofs with her tears; -she clothed herself in the blood-stained garments of her son, she drew -his bow, she wielded his lance, his sword, and his mace; and these fond -and frantic actions were continued till nature was overpowered, and the -distracted mother departed to join her beloved Soohrab." - -No translation in verse can convey to the mere English reader any -just impression of the whole poem of the Shah-nameh. The idiom in -which it is written, and the allusions and metaphors with which it -abounds, are too foreign to our language and taste to admit of success -in such an undertaking; but a prose translation of this great work -is a desideratum, and select passages might bear a poetical form. -He, however, who attempts such a task, will not be successful unless -possessed of a genius that raises him above the mechanical effort of a -versifier. If ever such a translator devote himself to the beauties of -this poem, he will find much to gratify himself and others. - -I have before given a specimen of Firdousee's power in describing -a battle; but though this is a species of composition in which the -Persians consider him to excel, I have been more pleased with him when -he strikes a softer and more harmonious note. His tales of love are -often delightful, and nothing can exceed some of his descriptions of -scenery. - -I had long entertained this opinion, but was confirmed in it by a -passage which Khan Sahib recited to me, after concluding the story of -Soohrab. It was an account of the events which took place when Siyavesh -was nominated by Afrasiab to govern the empire of Cheen. The young -prince, anxious to enjoy with his beautiful bride Feeringheesh every -luxury which this world could afford, sent persons in every direction -over his extensive territories, to select the most agreeable and -salubrious spot, that he might there fix his residence. The choice fell -upon the city of Kung, which is represented to be a perfect terrestrial -paradise. One line in the description of this favoured spot struck -me as an instance of the power of a poet to seize the finest shades -of distinction that belong to language, and to convey by such terms -the most correct idea to the mind. Speaking of the climate of Kung, -Firdousee says, - - "Its warmth was not heat, and its coolness was not cold."[107] - -I expressed to Khan Sahib my admiration of this line, adding my regret -that a poet who could write with such simplicity and beauty should -indulge so often in forced metaphor, and hyperbolical phrases. - -"Why," said my little friend, "I really think your quarrelling with -Firdousee, because he wrote according to the taste of the nation to -which he belonged, is something like finding fault with the Persians -because they do not wear cocked hats and tight pantaloons, instead of -lamb's-wool caps and loose trowsers. They delight, and ever have done, -in those conceits and images which offend you." "But yet," said I, -"Sadee is a great favourite, and he is almost always simple and clear -in his style." - -"Sadee," said Khan Sahib, "has, as you state, a great reputation in -Persia, but it is rather as a wise man and a moralist, than a poet. -He seeks by fiction to adorn, not encumber truth; and the admiration -of his reader is invariably given to the sentiment more than to the -language in which it is clothed. - -"As a proof," continued my friend, "that this is just, let us take two -stanzas. In the first of these Sadee thus describes himself: - - 'The snows of age rest upon my head, - Yet my disposition still makes me young.'[108] - -In these lines, marked as they are by simplicity and beauty, the -thought, not the expression, is what we most admire. In the second, -when addressing sovereigns, he says, - - 'Be merciful, and learn to conquer without an army - Seize upon the hearts of mankind, and be acknowledged - the world's conqueror.'[109] - -The boldness and sublimity of the lesson conveyed in this couplet -predominates over the poetry, and this is the case throughout the works -of Sadee. How different are the sweet and musical strains of Hafiz! -whose whole fame rests upon the creative fancy of his imagination, -and the easy flow of his numbers. He delights us by the very scorn -with which he rejects all sobriety of thought, and all continuity of -subject. As a poet he is one of the first favourites of his countrymen, -whose enthusiastic admiration is given to passages in his works that -your taste would condemn; for instance, when referring to the fiction -which relates that the tulip first sprung up in the soil which was -moistened with the blood of Ferhad, the celebrated lover of Sheereen, -he says, - - 'Perhaps the tulip feared the evils of destiny, - Thence, while it lives, it bears the wine-goblet on its stalk.'[110] - -"No conceit can be more fanciful, and you will perhaps add, more -extravagant; but this stanza is most particularly admired by the -Persians, much more so than a succeeding one in the same ode, where the -poet, with a simplicity and feeling that will delight you, gives the -reason for not having left his native place. - - 'They will not allow me to proceed upon my travels, - Those gentle gales of Mosellay, - That limpid stream of Rooknabad.'[111] - -"Hafiz," said Khan Sahib, "has the singular good fortune of being alike -praised by saints and sinners. His odes are sung by the young and the -joyous, who, by taking them in the literal sense, find nothing but an -excitement to pass the spring of life in the enjoyment of the world's -luxuries; while the contemplative sage, considering this poet as a -religious enthusiast, attaches a mystical meaning to every line, and -repeats his odes as he would an orison. At the time of his death," -continued my friend, "there were many who deemed his works sinful and -impious. These went so far as to arrest the procession of his funeral. -The dispute rose high, and the parties were likely to come to blows, -when it was agreed that a fal, or lot, should be taken from his book. -If that were favourable to religion, his friends were to proceed; but -if calculated to promote vice, they promised not to carry his body to -the sacred ground appropriated for its reception. - -"The volume of odes was produced, and it was opened by a person -whose eyes were bound, seven pages were counted back, when the -heaven-directed finger pointed to one of his inspired stanzas, - - 'Withdraw not your steps from the obsequies of Hafiz: - Though immersed in sin he will rise into paradise.'[112] - -"The admirers of the poet shouted with delight, and those who had -doubted joined in carrying his remains to a shrine near Shiraz, where, -from that day to this, his tomb is visited by pilgrims of all classes -and ages." - -I found my friend Khan Sahib, however partial from his habits to a -literal interpretation of many passages, dwelt upon others that he -deemed mystical with all the rapture of a Soofee. I asked him if he -considered Hafiz equal in this description of poetry to the celebrated -author of the Mesnevee, who is usually called the Moollah of Room?[113] -"Certainly not," was his reply; "there is a depth and sublimity in -the Mesnevee, which is equalled by no poet of this class. But I will -repeat, in answer to your question, the observation of a famous Persian -critic. - -"A friend asked him how it happened that the two most celebrated -Persian Soofee poets should differ so much in their description of -love? Hafiz, in the commencement of his work, observes: - - 'Love at first sight appeared easy, but afterwards full - of difficulties.'[114] - -The author of the Mesnevee, in exact opposition, says, - - 'Love at first resembles a bloody murderer, - That he may alarm all who are without his pale.'[115] - -"'Poor Hafiz,' said the critic, shaking his head, 'did not find out -till the last, what the wiser Moollah saw at a glance.'" - -I was proceeding to make some further observations, when the sound -of music and the appearance of the neighbouring villagers with their -chiefs announced that we were near our encampment, and both Khan Sahib -and myself were obliged to take our places in the order of march, which -was always formed when we met such parties. - -FOOTNOTES: - -[103] These facts are mentioned in the Introduction to Mickle's -translation of the Lusiad. - -[104] This desert is called, where we crossed it, Derya-e-Kebeer, or -Kemeen which signifies a desert; and the term Derya, which means the -ocean, being prefixed, is a proof of the truth of the popular belief of -this having been once a sea. - -[105] Melek-ool-Mout derrat. - -[106] "Yekee dastan poor ab-e-cheshem." - -[107] Gherm-esh ne-ghermee bood, oo serd-esh ne-serd - -[108] - Berf-e-peeree meenesheened ber ser-em - Hem-choon-an teba-em jevanee kooned. - -[109] - Rehim koon oo bee fouj der teskeen bash - Dilha-e-alem gheer oo shah-e-alem-gheer bash. - -[110] - Meger kih laleh be-danist bee-wefa-e-deher - Kih ta be-zad oo be-shood jam-e-mei z' kef-ne-nihad. - -[111] - Ne meedihend ijazet me-ra be-seir-oo-Sefer - Neseem-e-bad-e-moosella we ab-e-Rooknabad. - -[112] - Kedem dereegh medar ez jinaza-e-Hafiz. - Kih ger-chih gherek-e-goonah est meereved be-bihisht. - - -[113] Turkey. - -[114] Kih ishk asan nemood avvel welee ooftad mooshkil-ha. - -[115] - Ishk avvel choo ser-khoonee booved, - Ta be-tersend her kih beeroonee booved. - - - - -CHAPTER XVII. - - Distant view of Teheran--Demavend--Rhe--Entrance into the - Capital--Hajee Ibrahim--Zal Khan--Terms of Courtesy. - - -The first distant view we had of Teheran, the modern capital of Persia, -was very imposing. It is situated near the foot of Elboorz, a mountain -of the great range which stretches from Europe to the utmost limits of -Asia. This range would appear high, were it not for Demavend, whose -lofty peak, rising above the clouds, and covered with eternal snow, -gives a diminutive appearance to every thing in its vicinity. - -We had seen Demavend at the distance of one hundred miles from its -base, but it increased in magnificence as we advanced; and those -amongst us who delighted in the pages of Firdousee now planned an early -visit to this remarkable mountain, whose summit that poet describes -as "far from the abode of man, and near to Heaven." A Persian of our -party, called Meerza Ibrahim, who had been at Demavend, increased our -curiosity by a detail of the wonders we should see when we visited -that place. "Amongst others," said he, "is the cave that was once the -habitation of the Deev-e-Seffeed, who was slain by Roostem; and if -fortunate," he added, "you may catch a glimpse of the Deev's daughter, -whose dwelling is on the point of an inaccessible rock, at the edge of -which she now and then appears; and is reported, notwithstanding her -age, which cannot be less than two thousand four hundred years, to be -as active with her distaff, and looking as well as ever. - -"Higher up the mountain," continued our informant, "amid rocks and -snow, which forbid all mortal approach, dwells Zohak, the most wicked -of kings, surrounded by a court of magicians and sorcerers; this -at least is the belief of the worshippers of fire. But it has been -considered as unworthy of credit by the Mahomedan historians of Persia, -who, however, do not treat so lightly the record which asserts, that -in ancient times, when Menoo-cheher made peace with Afrasiab,[116] -one of the articles of the treaty was, that Persia was to have all -the country in a north-east direction, over which an arrow could be -shot from Demavend. A hero, called Arish, ascended to the top of the -mountain, and such was his miraculous prowess that he sent an arrow -to the banks of the Oxus, a distance of between five and six hundred -miles. Monarchs in these days," said Meerza Ibrahim, "we are assured -were very particular in performing their treaties, and the country was -faithfully ceded." - -"I have read all the discussions upon this subject," said Meerza Aga -Meer, who here joined in the conversation. "One Persian historian, who -relates this fact, admits that it is incomprehensible, but at the same -time adds, that he deems it his duty to give it as received from former -writers, who state, that the arrow which was discharged at sunrise did -not fall till noon. - -"Another author of high reputation informs us, that the 'Festival of -the Arrow,'[117] on the 13th of October,[118] which is still kept by -the followers of Zoroaster, is in commemoration of this event. - -"The arrow about which so much has been said and written," added -Aga Meer, "is admitted by almost all to have been of gold. -Some philosophers, however, have conjectured that it contained -quicksilver and other substances, which, when heated by the sun, -added to its projectile force; and we are informed, that the great -'Boo-Ali-seena[119] did not consider this feat beyond the compass of -human ingenuity." - -I concluded this discussion about the wonderful arrow by observing, -that some sceptical commentators on this passage of ancient history had -given their opinion, that the story of the golden arrow, flying from -Demavend to the Oxus, was nothing more than a bold metaphor, to express -that the Persians conquered that extent of country by their skill in -archery; "But the opinions of such writers," I said, "are rejected by -all who prefer plain facts to far-fetched metaphors." - -At a short distance from our camp we observed several mounds of earth -and ruined walls, which we were told was all that remained of the once -famous Ragas of Tobit--the Rhages of the Greeks, and the Rhe of the -Persians. - -While all who had imagination and a love of antiquity dwelt with -delight on the prospect of ascending Demavend, and visiting the ruins -of Rhe, the men of business looked only to Teheran, which appeared to -me to offer little to the view which was either grand or pleasing. One -palace alone attracted any portion of my admiration. It stood near the -base of the mountain Elboorz, on a commanding site, and was every way -suited for a royal residence. - -We were called from our plans and prospects to prepare for the entry -of the Mission into the capital; but the ceremonies of the procession -were not yet fully arranged. Letters and notes passed every minute; -secretaries and confidential messengers went to and fro without -intermission. These communications and messages chiefly related to -the forms of our reception. The period of entering Teheran had been -long fixed by the Elchee, who had consulted an eminent astrologer at -Isfahan upon this subject. The wise man, after casting his nativity, -and comparing what he found written in the book of his destiny with the -object of his Mission, which he had been told was the establishment -of friendly intercourse with Persia, declared, by a paper given under -his hand, for which he was no doubt well fee'd, "That, provided the -Elchee entered the gate of Teheran at forty-five minutes past two -o'clock, P.M. on the 13th of November, 1800, success would attend his -negotiation, and he would accomplish all his wishes." - -Meerza Aga Meer, who, like the most enlightened of his countrymen, -believed firmly in the occult science of astrology, had the best -chronometer in our party intrusted to his care. It was given -him because his situation enabled him to ride in the procession -sufficiently near the Elchee to prompt him when to go a little faster -or slower, in order that the gate of the capital might be entered at -the exact moment, a point to which the astrologer had attached the -greatest importance. - -The party who came out some miles to welcome the Elchee consisted of -several noblemen, the chief of whom was Nou Roz Khan Kajir, the Lord of -Requests and Commander of the King's Guard. - -About six hundred horse, principally royal guards, accompanied this -chief. We prepared for their reception by sounding the trumpets and -beating the drums of our cavalry and infantry, and putting all the -suite, European and native, in regular array. - -When the parties were within twenty yards of each other they halted, -and Nou Roz Khan prepared to dismount. The Elchee did the same. The -latter poised himself a moment in the stirrup, lest his foot should be -on the ground before that of the Persian nobleman, which would have -marked inferiority. But the soldier-like movements of Nou Roz Khan -showed at once he was a manly fellow, and no stickler about ceremonies. -He not only dismounted with expedition, but hastened, before the Elchee -had time to quit his horse, to come forward and welcome the guest of -his sovereign. - -We had all dismounted at the instant the Elchee did, and after mutual -introduction the whole party were again on their march, the Elchee and -Nou Roz Khan riding exactly parallel, and their attendants a little in -the rear, nearer or more remote, according to their respective ranks. - -On the plain which we passed, before coming to the capital, some of the -guards of the king displayed their skill in horsemanship. They threw -the Jerreed[120] at each other with excellent aim; and it was often -only avoided by extraordinary activity, the horseman sometimes to all -appearance throwing himself from his horse, while the jerreed whizzed -over him. - -Another exercise, called the Doghela-Bazee, is performed by the rider -holding a stick little more than a yard long in his hand, one end of -which he throws with great force on the ground, on the near side of the -horse when at full gallop; the direction given by this stroke causes it -to rebound over the horse's head, and the rider catches it while yet -whirling round in the air. - -But of all these exhibitions, that which pleased me most was the skill -they displayed as marksmen. When at full speed, the rider throws a -lemon over his head, and twisting his body completely round to the -left, fires at it from the off-flank of the horse,[121] almost always -with good aim, and often hitting it. This appeared to me, as combining -the different motions of the horse, the rider, and the lemon, quite -wonderful, but, like other surprising feats, it is the result of -constant practice; for the child in Persia commences this exercise at -six or seven years of age, and it is never abandoned, while there is -strength left to sit upon a horse and to pull a trigger. - -The crowds of people we now saw announced that we were in the suburbs -of Teheran. I heard Aga Meer whisper the Elchee, "You have yet ten -minutes,--a little slower." "Quicker!" was afterwards pronounced in -an under tone. Again I heard "Slower!" then "Now!" and the charger of -the Elchee put his foot over the threshold of the gate of Teheran. "Al -hamd-ool-illah! Thanks be to God!" said the Meer, with a delighted -countenance; "it was the very moment,--how fortunate!" This joy, and -the expression of it, told all to Nou Roz Khan, who evidently deemed -the proceeding as a matter of course; and when he heard the name of the -astrologer who was consulted at Isfahan, he seemed to think, after such -a happy moment of arrival, there could be no doubt of the fulfilment of -his predictions. This sentiment was general among the Persians in our -suite. Some of them might have doubted the sincerity of the Elchee's -belief in the occult sciences, but even these were pleased at the -consideration given to what he deemed their prejudices. - -One day after the treaties were concluded, I heard the prime minister -say, with a smile, to the Elchee, "You see, with all your European -knowledge, of what consequence it is to attend to a Persian astrologer, -who instructs you to fight us with our own weapons, the stars and -planets." - -On entering Teheran, we were conducted through the streets to the house -of the prime minister, Hajee Ibrahim. Here Nou Roz Khan left us; but we -were welcomed at the gate of the dwelling by several of the friends and -principal members of the minister's family, and we had hardly seated -ourselves, when the Hajee was announced as coming to visit his guests. - -My curiosity to see this extraordinary man was very great. "There -must," I thought, "be something wonderful in the appearance as well -as in the mind of that human being, who, by the mere force of his -character, has raised himself from the rank of an humble magistrate -in the city of Shiraz, to be a 'puller-down and setter-up of kings;' -who, without any pretensions to military talent, and without learning -sufficient to write a note or read three lines, has overcome heroes, -has established sovereigns on the throne of Persia, and by his firmness -and wisdom has given a peace and tranquillity to his native land beyond -what it has known for a century." - -The Persians are a handsome race of men, and fond of decorating their -persons. I expected therefore to see Hajee Ibrahim enter elegantly -dressed, with a dignified if not an elastic step, with a commanding -figure, a clear animated countenance, with features expressive of -his superior character: and, above all, with two piercing eyes, -distinguished perhaps by that restless wandering from object to object, -which indicates the care and anxiety of a man who held power and life -by so precarious a tenure as a prime minister of Persia. - -We all arose as he was announced, and the Elchee went forward to meet -him. Judge of my surprise when I saw, instead of the magnificent -personage of my imagination, a heavy-looking man, dressed in very -plain clothes, enter the room, and proceed towards his seat, with a -rolling of the body that almost approached to a waddle. His features -were rather coarse, and his eyes, though clear, had nothing of the -piercing or searching qualities I had anticipated. As to his manners, -they did not appear to have changed with his condition, but to be still -those of a respectable citizen of Shiraz. I was, I must confess, quite -disappointed; but before the half hour expired, which he passed in -conversation with the Elchee, my mind had undergone another change, for -there was in all he said a good sense, a sincerity, and a strength, -that quite convinced me of the justice of the fame he had acquired. - -The Hajee's brother, Abd-ool-Raheem Khan, came the day after our -arrival to pay his respects to the Elchee. An attempt was made by -the steward of the minister's household to obtain more deference -for this person than he was from his rank entitled to. "The Hajee," -said the politic major-domo, "always gives the seat of honour to -Abd-ool-Raheem Khan, who is his elder brother!" "He is right in so -doing," said the Elchee; "but this gentleman is not my elder brother." -The reply indicated a knowledge of the relations on which precedence -was to be given or refused, which terminated the discussion. In came -Abd-ool-Raheem Khan, a very fat and dull man, whose merit appeared -limited to that of being brother to a prime minister. He took his -seat very contentedly; staid half an hour; spoke half a sentence--and -retired. - -The first night I passed at Hajee Ibrahim's, I was disturbed by a -continued mumbling and confused noise in the next apartment, which, -upon inquiry, I found proceeded from the extreme piety of its inmate, -Zal Khan of Khisht. - -This remarkable man had established a great name in his native -mountains, betwixt Abusheher and Shiraz; and he was long distinguished -as one of the bravest and most attached followers of the Zend family. -When the death of Lootf Ali Khan terminated its power, he, along with -the other governors of provinces and districts in Fars, submitted -to Aga Mahomed Khan. That cautious and cruel monarch, dreading the -ability, and doubtful of the allegiance of this chief, ordered his eyes -to be put out: an appeal for the recall of the sentence being treated -with disdain, Zal Khan loaded the tyrant with curses. "Cut out his -tongue," was the second order. This mandate was imperfectly executed; -and the loss of half this member deprived him of speech. Being -afterwards persuaded that its being cut close to the root would enable -him to speak so as to be understood, he submitted to the operation, -and the effect has been, that his voice, though indistinct and thick, -is yet intelligible to persons accustomed to converse with him. This -I experienced from daily intercourse. He often spoke to me of his -sufferings, and of the humanity of the present king, who had restored -him to his situation as head of his tribe, and governor of Khisht. - -I am not an anatomist, and cannot therefore give a reason why a man, -who could not articulate with half a tongue, should speak when he had -none at all; but the facts are as stated, and I had them from the very -best authority, old Zal Khan himself. - -Some points of no small consequence underwent discussion the day after -we reached Teheran. The Persian language is very copious, and has many -terms which, though signifying in substance the same, have a shade -of difference in the application, which enables those versed in such -matters to use them so as to denote the rank and respective relations -of the parties who hold intercourse with each other. For instance, the -word friendship may be expressed by three or four terms, which imply -superiority, equality, or inferiority. The speaker may, by the manner -in which he introduces the expression "I have a regard for you"--"I -esteem your friendship"--"My duty always attends you"--or, "My service -is at your command," mark the respect or relation in which he holds -him whom he addresses. These are in Persia, as with us, expressions of -courtesy; but in that country the subject meets much more attention -than we give it, and especially in all communications with a foreign -envoy. - -Both the Elchee and his host, Hajee Ibrahim, might have smiled inwardly -at the trifling nature of such forms, but the relation in which they -stood towards each made it necessary to observe them; and as the terms -they used in conversation were likely to serve as a standard to others, -it was judged necessary to have a congress of meerzas or secretaries, -skilled in such niceties, to settle this important point. - -Two very formal men were deputed by the minister; and Aga Meer and -Mahomed Hoosein, the Indian Moonshee, attended on the part of the -Elchee. The negotiation was opened on the admitted basis of perfect -equality of rank between the parties. Notwithstanding the apparent -simplicity of the subject, much discussion ensued. My Indian friend -gave me a full account of it. "The minister's meerzas," said he, -"endeavoured to establish points which, though seemingly trivial, -would have given a shade of superiority to their master which I would -not admit: they rather alarmed Aga Meer, who, being a Persian, could -not be expected to stand up against them, at the hazard of giving -offence to those of his country who were in power: but what did I -care," said Mahomed Hoosein, swelling with the part he had acted at -this conference, "for their prime ministers? I know no superiors but my -master and the English government. - -"They told me," he added, "that by giving now and then a term of -respect to Hajee Ibrahim, more than he received, the Elchee would add -to the consequence of that minister, and not diminish his own, as they -were informed that people in England cared little about such matters. I -told them, however, that the Elchee, in all he did or said, considered -the impressions he was to make in Persia, not in England, and that he -would abandon no claims to respect, even in matters of the slightest -word or form, which tended in any manner to affect his representative -character with the nation to which he was sent. - -"Seeing," said the good Moonshee,[122] "that nothing was to be gained -from me, they came at last to an amicable arrangement." The word -friendship, which implies perfect equality, may be used in common -conversation; but occasionally the terms, "my duty waits upon you," -or, "my service is at your command," are to be introduced, with this -express provision, that whenever one party in the excess of his -politeness uses them, the other is to take the earliest opportunity -of doing the same. This rule is also to be particularly observed in -the important phrases of "you represented," "you said," or, "you -commanded." "You said," is settled as the term of equality; but "you -commanded," it is agreed, may be frequently interchanged, as tending to -show the great respect the parties entertain for each other. - -Possessed of this information, I watched the first interview of those -for whom this arrangement was made with no little interest. I noticed -that the Elchee replied immediately to the first concession made by -Hajee Ibrahim by a similar expression: but when he himself made one -some time afterwards, which did not meet with so prompt a return, I -was amused to see him retreat upon his terms of equality. This had the -desired effect. No more encroachments were made upon his dignity; and -from his conduct on this occasion, and others of similar importance, -he was no doubt considered by the Persians as a most accomplished -diplomatist! - -The termination of this battle of words at Teheran, added to that of -forms at Shiraz, were happy preparations for the discussions regarding -the ceremonies of presentation to the king; but these will be noticed -in the next chapter. - -FOOTNOTES: - -[116] The Sovereign of Tartary. - -[117] Teer-gah. - -[118] The month of October, in the ancient Persian Calendar, is called -Teer or the Arrow. - -[119] Avicenna. - -[120] A wooden javelin. - -[121] The modern Persian horseman has changed the bow of his ancestors -for a matchlock, but the mode of using his arms is the same. The -Parthians are described, in their successful contests with the -disciplined legions of Rome, as carrying on their attacks, not against -the army but the supplies by which it was supported. - -"The mode in which the Parthian warrior took his unerring aim, while -his horse was carrying him from his enemy," says the author of the -History of Persia, "may be viewed as a personification of the system of -warfare by which his nation, during this era of its history, maintained -its independence. The system was suited to the soil, to the man, and to -the fleet and robust animal on which he was mounted; and its success -was so certain, that the bravest veterans of Rome murmured when their -leaders talked of a Parthian war."--History of Persia, vol. i. p. 88. - -[122] This excellent man is living on a small estate in his native -country, the northern Circars, granted for his services in Persia and -other quarters. He accompanied his old master, the Elchee, in the -campaign in India of 1817-18; and in consideration of this further -service to the public, his estate has been settled upon his children. - - - - -CHAPTER XVIII. - - Terms of Reception at Court--Second Visit--Delivery - of Presents--King's Grant--Private Interviews--King's - Ancestors--Crown Jewels--King's love of a Joke--Mode of Passing his - Time--Harem--Royal Meals--Hajee Ibrahim--His Character and Death. - - -The Elchee's reputation as a man conversant with forms, and much alive -to their importance in all diplomatic proceedings, smoothed the way for -the settlement he had to make regarding his reception at court. There -were still, however, many minor points to be arranged which required -much grave discussion. One presented itself on the very threshold of -this negotiation, with which we were all highly amused. - -Many observations had been made on our dress at Shiraz, but no records -existed at the provincial capital, which could authorise the minister -of the prince to object to the Elchee's being presented in his -uniform. The outward appearance of our heads, the hair of which had -been recently cropped, obtained us high compliments, at the expense of -our friends the Russians. That nation had some years before invaded -the territory of Persia, and its troops were then threatening another -attack. The consequence was a very hostile feeling towards it amongst -the courtiers and ministers of the king of kings. Chiragh Ali Khan, -when we were at Shiraz, dilated on our habits as much more cleanly -than our Christian brethren of the north. "They delight in nothing," -said he, "but strong liquor and hogs' flesh; and, would you believe -it?" addressing himself to the Elchee, "they are so fond of the vile -animal on which they live, that they actually tie their hair in a -form which resembles its tail." The Elchee looked as if incredulous -of this last usage, though it was, to my knowledge, not more than a -twelvemonth since his own head had been shorn of the ornament held in -such abomination. - -From what had passed, we thought that we were safe on the point of -dress; but we were mistaken. Two days after our arrival at Isfahan, -a meerza came on the part of Hajee Ibrahim, to speak to the Elchee -on this subject. After many apologies and explanations regarding the -minute attention to ceremonies at the Persian court, he observed, that -it even related to dress; and as the Elchee was to be presented to the -king, it was expected he would put on garments suited to the occasion. -The Elchee replied, he did not know what was meant, but that he could -wear no dress except that of his country; and being a soldier, he wore -the uniform belonging to his station in the army. The Meerza smiled, -and said they were better informed upon such subjects than the Elchee -imagined. He then produced a parcel; and after opening a number of -envelopes, he showed several small pictures of ambassadors who had -visited Persia two centuries ago. One, which was called the painting -of the English representative, and believed to be Sir Anthony Shirley, -was dressed in the full costume of the time of Queen Elizabeth. "This," -said the Meerza, "is the pattern which it is hoped you will adopt, as -his majesty desires to follow in all points the usages of the Seffavean -kings, since they well understood what was due to the dignity of the -throne of Persia." - -The Elchee could not help smiling at this proposition; but seeing the -Meerza look grave, he begged pardon, and told him, that when he saw -Hajee Ibrahim he would satisfy him fully on this subject. The minister -came soon afterwards into the room, and was much entertained at the -account of the changes which fashion had made in our dress, since -the days of good Queen Bess. "Well, well," said he, in his short but -forcible manner, "our habits are so different from yours on this point -that the mistake is not surprising; and though I do not altogether -like a usage which makes children laugh at the garments of their -grandfathers, every country has a right to its own customs, and to -these its representatives should adhere. I must," he said in a whisper, -"plague you a little on such points, for I have a bad name, from not -being a stickler for forms; and I shall trust," he added, "to your good -nature to allow me to establish my character." - -The marching with fixed bayonets, drawn swords, and trumpets sounding, -to the great gate of the palace, the spot where he was to dismount--the -manner in which he was to approach the king, and the place where he -was to sit, were all settled to the satisfaction of the Elchee. An -objection was at first made to the suite being seated, but numerous -books as well as pictures were produced, to prove the usage of the -Seffavean monarchs on this head, and the point was conceded. - -There was much and serious discussion as to the rank of the person to -be appointed to meet the Elchee at the entrance room, where, according -to etiquette, he must remain till his majesty was announced as ready to -receive him. - -Suliman Khan Kajir, first cousin and son-in-law of the king, and who -had at one period aspired to the throne, was the person fixed upon -to act this part of the drama. No compliment could be greater to the -embassy than its being assigned to him; but there was one drawback--it -was urged, that the said Suliman Khan was of too high rank to rise from -his seat to receive any man upon earth, except the king, or a prince -of the blood-royal; he was besides Lord of the Court,[123] an office -which gave him the place of majesty itself when the king was absent. -Notwithstanding these pretensions, it was agreed that he should make -a slight movement, or a half rise, when the Elchee entered the room, -and that the latter should seat himself on the carpet on a footing of -equality. - -Everything being arranged, we proceeded towards the "Threshold of the -World's Glory," on the morning of the sixteenth of November, in the -year of our Lord eighteen hundred! We were all dressed in our best -attire. A crowd had assembled near the house of Hajee Ibrahim, and the -streets were filled with gazers at the strangers. - -The infantry part of the escort, with their drum and fifes, and all the -Hindustannee public servants in scarlet and gold, preceded the Elchee, -who rode a beautiful Arabian horse richly caparisoned, but entirely in -the English style; he was followed by the gentlemen of his suite and -his escort of cavalry. - -When we came within half a mile of the palace all was silence and -order: it was the state of Asia with the discipline of Europe. We -passed through rows of men and horses; and even the latter appeared -as if afraid to shake their heads. Many persons whom we saw in the -first square of the citadel, before we entered the palace, were richly -dressed, and some of the horses were decked out with bridles, saddles, -and trappings of great value; but it was not until we passed the last -gate of the palace, and came into the garden in front of the king's -hall of audience, a highly ornamented and spacious building, that we -could form any idea of the splendour of the Persian court. - -A canal flowed in the centre of a garden, which supplied a number of -fountains, to the right and left of which were broad paved walks, -and beyond these were rows of trees. Between the trees and the high -wall encircling the palace files of matchlock-men were drawn up; and -within the avenues, from the gate to the hall of audience, all the -princes, nobles, courtiers, and officers of state, were marshalled in -separate lines, according to their rank, from the lowest officer of the -king's guard, who occupied the place nearest the entrance, to the heir -apparent, Abbas Meerza, who stood on the right of his brothers, and -within a few paces of the throne. - -There was not one person in all this array who had not a gold-hilted -sword, a Cashmere shawl round his cap, and another round his waist. -Many of the princes and nobles were magnificently dressed, but all was -forgotten as soon as the eye rested upon the king. - -He appeared to be above the middle size, his age little more than -thirty, his complexion rather fair; his features were regular and -fine, with an expression denoting quickness and intelligence. His -beard attracted much of our attention; it was full, black, and glossy, -and flowed to his middle. His dress baffled all description. The -ground of his robes was white; but he was so covered with jewels of an -extraordinary size, and their splendour, from his being seated where -the rays of the sun played upon them, was so dazzling, that it was -impossible to distinguish the minute parts which combined to give such -amazing brilliancy to his whole figure. - -The two chief officers of ceremonies, who carried golden sticks, -stopped twice, as they advanced towards the throne, to make a low -obeisance, and the Elchee at the same time took off his hat. When -near the entrance of the hall the procession stopped, and the lord -of requests said, "Captain John Malcolm is come, as envoy from the -governor-general of India to your majesty." The king, looking to the -Elchee, said, in a pleasing and manly voice, "You are welcome."[124] - -We then ascended the steps of the hall, and were seated, as had been -previously arranged. The letter from the governor-general, which had -been carried in the procession on a golden tray, was opened and read. -His majesty inquired after the health of the king of England and of -the ruler of India. He desired particularly to know how the Elchee had -been treated in his dominions, and whether he liked what he had seen of -Persia? - -To all these questions appropriate answers were returned; and we -left his majesty, after being seated about twenty minutes, very -much gratified by our reception, and with an assurance from our -mehmandar,[125] which was afterwards confirmed by the prime minister, -that the king of kings was highly pleased with the mission, the state -and splendour of which he could not but feel added to his reputation, -and gave him fame and popularity with his own subjects. - -Several days passed before our second visit to court, when the Elchee -carried the presents from the governor-general, some of which were -very valuable, particularly the pier-glasses, which have been already -mentioned. A change was made in this second visit; we were not stopped -as before at the room, where we were met by Suliman Khan Kajir, that -chief having failed in showing the Elchee proper respect, by not -rising when he went in or out of the apartment; and to prevent further -disputes, the ceremony of stopping, in our progress towards the throne, -was altogether dispensed with. The court was still more fully attended -than before, and the king, if possible, more magnificently dressed. - -After we had been seated a short time, the presents were announced. -I was a little anxious when one of the ministers began to read the -list. There had been a great desire to give them a name which denoted -inferiority of rank on the part of the person from whom they were -sent; but the Elchee would not allow of any such term being used, -and he told the prime minister, that if any attempt of the kind were -made, he would, notwithstanding the strict etiquette of the Persian -court, instantly address the king, and tell him, that the presents he -brought were neither tribute nor offerings, as his secretary had from -inadvertence called them, but rarities and curiosities sent from the -British ruler of India, in token of his regard and friendship for the -king of Persia. This communication had the desired effect; our presents -were termed rarities, and the high rank of the governor-general, as a -person intrusted with sovereign functions, was on this occasion upheld. - -This visit was at its commencement very formal, but the king, evidently -desirous to give it another character, said to the Elchee, "I have -heard a report which I cannot believe, that your king has only one -wife." "No Christian prince can have more," said the Elchee. "O, I -know that! but he may have a little lady."[126] "Our gracious king, -George the Third," replied the Envoy, "is an example to his subjects -of attention to morality and religion in this respect, as in every -other." "This may all be very proper," concluded his majesty of -Persia, laughing, "but I certainly should not like to be king of such -a country." - -A curious incident occurred as we left the palace. The king's giant, a -man above eight feet high, and stout in proportion, was placed against -one of the walls of the gate through which we were to retire, and he -had in his hand a club of enormous dimensions. It was expected that -the Elchee, on seeing him, would start with astonishment if not alarm; -but he passed without taking any notice of this redoubtable personage, -except by a slight glance. The fact was, as he afterwards confessed, it -never entered into his imagination that it was a human being. Paintings -of Roostem and his club (which the giant was dressed to imitate) are -very common in Persia, and in the hurry of passing he took this to -be one. He was first made sensible of his mistake by the praises of -his mehmandar. "Admirable!" said the latter to him: "nothing could be -better: the fools wished to try to startle you with giants and clubs -stuck up against a wall. They are rightly served; your eye hardly -rested on him for a moment, evidently not thinking him worthy of your -notice. I shall tell them," he added, with a feeling that showed he -considered his honour was associated with that of the person of whom he -had charge, "that such men are quite common in your country, and that -this giant would hardly be tall enough for one of the guards of the -king of England." - -Before we left Teheran the Envoy had several interviews with the king, -at all of which his majesty was gracious; and at some, which were -private, he spoke a great deal, and was very inquisitive into the -habits and usages of England, and the character of its government. - -Speaking of the empire of India, he asked, if it were true that ten -ships were sent every year from that country to England loaded with -gold and silver? The Elchee said it was very rare any bullion was -sent from our territories in the East to England; that whatever went -was in merchandise. "What a lie," said his majesty, "the Envoy[127] -who preceded you told me; but," (seeing the Elchee annoyed,) "do not -vex yourself, it is not your shame but ours; your predecessor was a -Persian, and we all exaggerate--you speak truth. But why did you send -a Persian to my court? I suppose," continuing to answer himself, "it -was to find out what kind of a being I was, and whether my country was -settled, before you deputed one of your own nation." - -"Are the French," he asked, "a powerful people?" "Certainly," replied -the Envoy; "they would not otherwise deserve to be mentioned as the -enemies of the English." "There again," said the king, turning to his -ministers, "you know we were told that the French were a weak and -contemptible nation, which was incredible: the Elchee, by telling the -truth, has done them justice, and raised his own country at the same -time." - -After a number of questions on the mines of South America, and the arts -and manufactures of Europe, the king said, "All this is astonishing! -Persia has nothing but steel." "Steel well managed," said the Elchee, -"has, from the beginning of the world to the present day, commanded -all other riches." "Very true," said the king, quite pleased with this -compliment; "that is a very just observation; therefore we must not -complain, but continue to be contented, as our ancestors have been, -with our swords and our lances." - -The king had learned that the Elchee, in his conversation with the -minister, had displayed considerable acquaintance with the past history -of his family at Asterabad, and his curiosity being excited, he sent -to desire his attendance. We were received in a private apartment, in -which there were only a few courtiers, but there were several Kajir -chiefs, and four or five elders[128] of that tribe. - -The interrogation began; and as the Elchee derived his knowledge from -that minute and truth-telling traveller, Jonas Hanway, his answers -quite surprised all present; and when he informed them, not only of -the events which happened fifty-six[129] years before, but gave them -accounts of the personal appearance, the dispositions, the connections, -and the characters of the different chiefs, the astonishment of -the elders was expressed by the frequent repetition of "Ya Ali," -an ejaculation that, in the mouth of a Persian, attends all sudden -emotions of wonder. The king was more than pleased, he was delighted; -he evidently believed, from the Elchee's knowledge of the history of -his family, that their fame had reached Europe, and that it was as well -known to the nations of that quarter of the globe as to the Turkumans -of Goorgan, or the natives of Mazenderan. - -The Elchee on this occasion told the truth, but not the whole truth. -The character of the court in which he was giving evidence did not -perhaps require the latter, and it might have lessened the pleasure -imparted, to have spoken of the plundered bales of cloth, and the -dread of being made over to the Turkumans, which had so fixed the -recollection of his majesty's family in the mind of poor Jonas Hanway. -As it was, the king was delighted, and conversed familiarly on various -subjects. Amongst others, he inquired very particularly into the frame -of the English government. - -The Elchee explained it to him as well as he could. When he spoke of -the liberty of the subject, his majesty was puzzled to understand what -it meant; but on being told it implied, that no man was so high in -England as to be able to do anything contrary to the law of the land; -and no man so low, but that he might do everything not contrary to that -law, he appeared to comprehend this, as well as the other points which -had been explained to him. - -"I understand all you have said," he observed; and after some -reflection, he added--"Your king is, I see, only the first magistrate -of the country."[130] "Your majesty," said the Elchee, "has exactly -defined his situation." "Such a condition of power," said he, smiling, -"has permanence, but it has no enjoyment: mine is enjoyment. There you -see Suliman Khan Kajir, and several other of the first chiefs of the -kingdom--I can cut all their heads off: can I not?" said he, addressing -them. "Assuredly, 'Point of adoration of the world,'[131] if it is your -pleasure." - -"That is real power," said the king; "but then it has no permanence. -When I am gone, my sons will fight for the crown, and all will be -confusion: there is, however, one consolation, Persia will be governed -by a soldier." - -The king, at this visit, appeared in great good humour with the Elchee, -and gratified the latter by showing him his richest jewels, amongst -which was the "sea of light,"[132] which is deemed one of the purest -and most valuable diamonds in the world. Many of the others were -surprisingly splendid. - -On the evening after this visit, my excellent friend, whom I have -before mentioned as preferring a shot at a duck to a view of the ruins -of Persepolis, said he would like to be king of Persia. Knowing that -inordinate ambition had no place in his mind, I asked him what he would -do if he attained that station: "Run away with my crown," was the -prompt answer. We had a hearty laugh at the genuine simplicity of this -expression. It is perhaps the first time sovereignty was ever desired -for such a purpose; but, considering all that attends, in Persia, the -wearing of the article he wished for, it would perhaps be the best -mode of converting to real advantage so dangerous and precarious a -possession. - -The condition of Fatteh Ali Shah, at the time I first saw him, was -deemed, by his Mahomedan subjects, as fortunate as could be attained -by any human being in this world. He added to youth and personal -endowments, four wives, more ladies than I will venture to name, and -nearly one hundred children, the possession of a splendid throne, -and the prospect of living long to enjoy it, for his cruel but able -uncle, Aga Mahomed, had destroyed all who were likely to dispute his -possession of the crown. "He had," to use his own words, "raised a -royal palace, and cemented it with blood, that the boy Baba Khan (the -name he always gave his nephew) might sleep within its walls in peace." - -The king has elegant manners and many accomplishments. Among others, -he is a poet, and has written a book of odes, of the merits of which -the critics of Persia speak in perfect raptures. I only wish I had the -same power that he possesses of disarming severity and propitiating -favour. What a magnifying glass would then be applied to these pages, -now doomed, I fear, to be viewed through a reversed telescope, which -will make them appear so diminutive as hardly to be worth the trouble -of perusing. But to return to his majesty of Persia. - -I made all the inquiries I could into his usual habits and mode of -passing his time. He is very regular in the execution of his public -duties; and being a king of Persia is no sinecure. He must have two -courts every day; one public, and another private. He receives at the -first the salutations of all his sons, nobles, ministers, and public -officers; and at this public levee strangers are presented. At the -second, in which his ministers and favourites only attend, business is -transacted. - -The present king, like many of the same age and temperament, makes up, -by the employment of his leisure moments, for the forms and restraints -which usage imposes upon him when before the eye of the public. He -pursues with great ardour the sports of the field, is an excellent -horseman, and a good shot. - -Being fond of his fame as a literary man, he devotes some time to the -society of the learned, and enjoys hearing poetry and entertaining -stories recited. He has, however, I am told, more boyish amusements, in -which those of his favourite attendants and domestics, who join, are -admitted to great familiarity. The age and character of Hajee Ibrahim -have naturally inspired the king with some awe; and it is not an -uncommon joke, when his majesty is at high romps, for some privileged -person to exclaim, "Hajee! Hajee!" as if the minister were seen -approaching: the word is certain to act as a talisman; all are grave -and in their places in a moment, till a laugh from the successful wit -proclaims that it is only a jest. - -I had an opportunity of observing that the king is very fond of having -a laugh at the expense of his gravest ministers and highest nobles; and -Hajee Ibrahim assured me, he had never seen him more delighted than by -the opportunity of indulging in this vein, afforded by two occurrences -connected with our party. - -Suliman Khan Kajir, of whose unbending dignity I have already spoken, -feeling himself unwell, sent to request that the surgeon of the English -mission might attend him. That gentleman went; but as he could not -speak Persian, he was accompanied by the relation of the Elchee before -noticed. This cherished friend of mine (who is now, alas! no more) was, -from his knowledge of the language and his pleasing manners, a general -favourite at court, and was distinguished by the Mahomedan appellation -of Feiz-Ali, which had been given from its resemblance, in their ears, -to his English name. The Persian chief received and treated him and the -doctor with such repulsive coldness and pride, that when he desired a -second visit they were unwilling to return; but the Elchee, anxious -to pay every attention to so near a relation of the king, insisted -upon their going. Their reception this time was exactly opposite to -what it was before. Suliman Khan insisted upon their sitting near him, -treated him with sweetmeats and coffee, and laughed at the doctor, -whom he desired to cure a bad eye he had with the touch of his finger; -and on his being answered with a declaration of inability, said he was -rejoiced to find that European physicians had not that magical power -with which his countrymen in their ignorance vested them. - -The two gentlemen returned just as we were on the point of sitting down -to dinner with Hajee Ibrahim. "Well," said the minister, addressing -the Elchee's relation, "how did you find Suliman Khan?" All that had -passed was repeated. "Why," said the Hajee, "the Khan must have been -drunk." "Very possibly," replied my friend; "all I can say is, he was -very polite and very pleasant, and I regret much that he was not drunk -at the first visit we paid him." - -The Hajee was highly diverted with this reply, which he repeated to the -king the same evening; and we learnt that his majesty next day rallied -his relation with great effect, telling him Feiz-Ali had said he was "a -pleasant companion, and a very polite gentleman, when he was drunk!" - -The other occurrence occasioned still more mirth to the "king of -kings." A number of the first nobles and ministers solicited, and were -permitted, to give dinners to the Elchee. Amongst these was a near -relation of his majesty, called Mahomed Hoosein Khan. It was expected -that this nobleman would visit the Elchee; but he did not pay this -mark of respect. The consequence was, the Elchee wrote to decline the -honour of waiting upon him. This caused the greatest confusion: Hajee -Ibrahim was sent for several times by the king, and at last brought -a message, intimating, that if the Elchee would give way on this -occasion, his majesty would deem it a personal favour, and would take -care he should never again be placed in such a situation. The Hajee -added his own entreaties, saying, "If you do not go, the indignity put -upon this proud Kajir chief will be exclusively ascribed to my advice." -Consideration for the minister weighed more with the Elchee than all -other motives, and he agreed to recall his excuse, stating, that he did -so at the express desire of the king. - -The Elchee, when he entered the dinner apartment, though he must -have known his host by the dignified distance at which he sat from -his guests, nevertheless, choosing to mark the absurdity of going to -dine with a man with whose person he was unacquainted, turned to the -mehmandar, and said, "Which of these Omrahs is Mahomed Hoosein Khan -Doodakee?" The poor mehmandar was so confounded that he could only -answer by pointing to the personage inquired after, who now advanced -with an air of offended pride, while the whole assembly looked -astounded. - -Notwithstanding this bad beginning, the party went off very well, -chiefly owing to the pleasant manners and information of the minister, -Riza Koolee Khan, who exerted himself not a little to promote good -humour. - -We were not aware, till we returned home, of one cause of the surprise -which the interrogation, addressed to the mehmandar, had occasioned. -The Elchee, who understood Persian, was wholly ignorant of Turkish, and -consequently did not know that the title of Doodakee, which he gave to -his host, from having heard him so called, was not one of honour, but -a nick-name, signifying "Thick-lip," which he had received from the -conformation of that feature, and which was useful in distinguishing -him from a hundred other Mahomed Hoosein Khans belonging to the Turkish -tribe of Kajir. - -The king, we were informed, was delighted with this story, and used -sometime afterward, when our host was standing amongst other chiefs -near the throne, to exclaim, "Which of all these Omrahs is Mahomed -Hoosein Khan Doodakee?" - -The king passes some hours of every day in the seraglio, or ladies' -apartments. If the character of my little work permitted, I could here -give the rein to my imagination, and create scenes, which however -unreal might still please and interest many of my readers. I could -paint Circassians and Georgians of surpassing beauty--clothe them in -robes and jewels of unparalleled splendour--give to some the fond but -unavailing regrets of past but not unforgotten early attachments--and -to others the pangs of jealousy, and a torturing sense of love changed -for neglect. I could devise well-planned intrigues, hair-breadth -escapes, and hint at murders committed, where no eye could see, and no -tongue could tell the tale of horror; but all these exciting subjects -are forbidden me, by a stupid rule I have laid down, which compels me, -in all that I personally relate, to limit myself to facts. - -From what I have heard of the seraglio of the King of Persia, many -forms observed in it are the same as in the outer apartments. - -The king, like all good Mahomedans, rises early, as the first prayer -must be said at dawn of day; he is aided in his toilet by female -attendants. After he is dressed he holds a levee, at which more than -three hundred ladies of different ranks are present: each, according -to her rank or favour, standing nearer or farther from the throne. Two -only, I am informed, have the privilege of being seated-the mother of -the heir-apparent, and the daughter of Ibrahim Khan of Sheesha. - -There are in the seraglio female officers of every description. A Lady -of Requests, a Lady of the Ceremonies, and my Lady Chief Constable. One -duty of the first is to introduce the young strangers to the notice of -their lord and sovereign; the second marshals all in their station, -according to their dignity or consideration; and the third is armed -with an authority which, if fame speaks true, is not unfrequently -called into action. - -The influence of many of the ladies is very great. The mothers of the -princes who are employed in distant provinces usually accompany their -sons, and contrive, by intrigue, to preserve that power which their -charms once gave them: almost all these pay the king annual visits. - -There are bands of singers and dancers, drolls and mimics, within the -walls of the inner apartments, who contribute both to his majesty's -amusement and that of his ladies. There are also females who traffic in -different wares, and many of these have the privilege of going out and -coming in at pleasure. - -The King of Persia can only, according to law, marry four wives: these -are selected from considerations of policy, not of affection. They -are upon a very different footing from any of the other ladies in the -seraglio; they have separate establishments, and are always objects of -attention and respect, though seldom perhaps of affection. But real -love can hardly be imagined to have ever found a dwelling amid such -scenes as have been described; yet I was told a short but affecting -tale, with so many circumstances to confirm its truth, that I could -hardly doubt but the king of kings once knew the meaning of this sacred -word. - -A young dancing-girl from Shiraz, named Tootee,[133] was raised from -a humble rank to a place in the royal seraglio. Tootee, who from her -profession must in her earliest years have been seen by many, is said -to have been of an elegant and delicate form, with a fine voice, and -a face that indicated feeling and intelligence. She gained the heart -of her royal lover, and, according to fame, gave him all her own in -return. While she lived, others were neglected; but this fair flower -soon drooped and died. The grief of the king was excessive. He directed -her to be interred near the shrine of the holy Shah Abd-ool-Azeem, -which is within five miles of the capital. His visits to this shrine -have, since this event, become much more frequent than before; whether -they are from respect to the remains of the saint, or from fond regret -of his beloved Tootee, cannot be determined; but he is often observed -to sit upon her tomb, in the apparent enjoyment of a melancholy -pleasure. - -Notwithstanding the habits of his condition, and the severe and cruel -acts to which that has often led him, there is naturally a kind -disposition in the present King of Persia, which has made me always -regard him as deserving of estimation, and I cannot but take an -interest in all that personally concerns him. - -It is from such feelings, that the short history and fate of Tootee -have ever interested me. I have been gratified to think, that the mind -of one I desired to hold in regard was not so completely corrupted -and polluted by sensual indulgence and luxury, as to be a stranger to -a passion which, in any shape that approaches to purity, softens and -ennobles man, far beyond all other sentiments that are associated with -his happiness in this world. - -The king leaves his inner apartments at eight o'clock. An hour or -two before breakfast is passed with his favourite companions, of -whom Mahomed Hoosein Khan Mervee is, as he merits to be, the most -distinguished, both from his rank and superior qualities. - -The breakfast for his majesty is served in great state, and the dishes -are of pure gold: this meal is usually at ten in the morning, and -dinner at eight in the evening. - -The trays which contain the royal meals are sealed up by the head of -the household, an office of great trust; and while this precaution -is taken against poison, a physician attends lest the royal appetite -should be indulged to an excess that might injure health. I fear, -however, this wise man is not so successful in enforcing abstemiousness -as he who watched over the renowned sovereign of Barrataria! - -No person is allowed to eat with the king, but he has generally one or -two of his youngest sons near him, to whom he gives of the dishes which -he thinks they like best; he also, at times, as a mark of great favour, -sends victuals dressed for himself to others. The Elchee was often -honoured with presents of bread, rice, and pillaw. These specimens of -culinary art satisfied me, that his majesty's cooks merited all the -praises I had heard bestowed on them. - -When the first mission took its departure from Teheran, the king was -most gracious. We all received fine dresses from his majesty: that -given to the Elchee was most splendid; and he had besides a handsome -horse, and a dagger richly set with jewels. There was much anxiety -that he should dress in these robes; but though he expressed himself -willing to wear any of them which could be put over his own clothes, -he could not, he said, put off any part of his uniform. The king, very -good-humouredly, alluded to his tenacity in this particular, at our -last visit: "You were unjust to your own appearance, Elchee," said -he; "had you put on the cap I sent, you would have looked one of the -tallest men in Persia." - -The leave we took of Hajee Ibrahim was marked by some circumstances -which made it truly affecting. This extraordinary man had become very -intimate with the Elchee, to whom he communicated his anticipation of -being soon put to death. "The king and his ministers," said he, "are -all anxious to destroy me. Your arrival has delayed for a time the -execution of their designs, but it is only for a short period. I could -easily save myself; but Persia would again be plunged in warfare. My -object," he continued, "has been to give my country one king; I cared -not whether he was a Zend or a Kajir, so that there was an end of -internal distraction. I have seen enough of these scenes of blood; I -will be concerned in no more of them. I hope I have made my peace with -God, and shall therefore die contented." - -The Elchee, who had succeeded in effecting an outward reconciliation -between Hajee Ibrahim and the other ministers, Meerza Seffee and Meerza -Riza Koolee, took this opportunity of beseeching his friend to treat -these personages with more consideration and respect. He also earnestly -exhorted him to bear with more temper than he did the occasional fits -of ill-humour and violence of the king. - -"I cannot alter my nature," said the Hajee; "it is plain and downright: -besides, the conduct you recommend would be of no use; it would only -precipitate my fate. The fears of my enemies would lead them to -conclude that it covered some deep design." - -This conversation passed two days before our departure; and the day -on which it occurred the Hajee appeared very melancholy. The Elchee -had been in the habit of taking great notice of, and playing with, the -minister's youngest son, a fine boy of five years of age. The child, -who was well trained in Persian etiquette, had remained quiet till he -saw the Elchee move towards the door; he then ran after him, and in -trying to lay hold of his clothes, fell on his face, and burst into -tears. The Hajee, forgetting all forms in parental feeling, ran forward -also, and taking his son in his arms, said--"Thou hast a heart, my -child! thou hast a heart;[134] but God," said he, in a lower tone, to -the Elchee, "has informed him he is soon to lose his father, and taught -him where to look for a friend." - -The anticipations of the minister proved just: though his fate was -delayed for two years, chiefly from the influence of the king's mother, -who well knew the value of such a servant as Hajee Ibrahim. Her death -left the field open to his enemies, who fabricated every accusation -that could work upon either the pride or fears of the king, to make -him destroy one whom they at once dreaded and hated. Their arts were -but too successful; and the high and disdainful manner in which this -truly great man repelled the charges brought against him caused his -being put to a cruel death. His brothers and sons were, according -to the barbarous usage in Persia, included in his sentence. These, -though residing in different parts of the kingdom, were all seized -(so well arranged was the plan) on the same day, and the same hour. -Some were put to death, others lost their eyes; all their property was -confiscated. Indeed the plunder of the accumulated wealth of the family -who had so long enjoyed power probably tended, with other motives, in -producing this melancholy termination to its fame and fortune. - -It is stated, that though the king endeavours to persuade himself Hajee -Ibrahim meant to rebel, and that his throne was endangered by the -existence of this powerful subject, he is often visited with remorse at -his own conduct towards him. On occasions of emergency to the state he -has been frequently known to reproach his present ministers with the -loss to Persia which their arts and jealousies had caused, exclaiming, -"Where is Hajee Ibrahim? he alone was fit to give counsel to a monarch." - -It may perhaps be received as a proof of the king's sentiments upon -this subject, that, being aware of the affecting scene which had taken -place with the youngest son of Hajee Ibrahim on the Elchee's leaving -Teheran in 1800, he directed, on his second mission to Persia, that the -sightless youth, who had enjoyed such favour as a child, might meet us -on our advance, and receive, as he did in the notice and sympathy of -his early friend, all the consolation which could be administered to -one in his melancholy condition. - -FOOTNOTES: - -[123] Deevan-Beg. - -[124] Khoosh-Amedee. - -[125] Fatteh Ali Khan Noovee. - -[126] "Amma Keneezekee," the expression used by his majesty, means -literally--But a little lady. - -[127] Mehdee Ali Khan, a Persian gentleman, who had been deputed the -year before to Persia by Mr. Duncan, Governor of Bombay. - -[128] "Reesh-e-Seffeed," literally grey-beard, is the Persian term for -an elder. - -[129] Jonas Hanway was at Astrabad in 1744, during the rebellion of the -ancestor of the present king. - -[130] "Ket-khuda-e-avvel." - -[131] "Kibla-e-Alem," is the universal term his subjects apply when -speaking to the king of Persia. Kibla is the point to which Mahomedans -turn when they pray: Alem signifies the world. - -[132] The Deria-e-Noor, or sea of light, weighs 186 carats, and is -considered to be the diamond of the finest lustre in the world. The -Taj-e-Mah, or "crown of the moon," is also a splendid diamond; it -weighs 146 carats. These two are the principal in a pair of bracelets, -valued at near a million sterling. Those in the crown are also of -extraordinary size and value. - -[133] "Tootee," is the Persian word for a parrot, a bird which is -prominent in Persian tales for its knowledge and habits of attachment. - -[134] Dil daree tifl, dil daree. - - - - -CHAPTER XIX. - - Progress of the Russians--Buonaparte--Second Visit to - Tullanca--King Abbas Meerza--Reflections--Electrifying - Machine--Phantasmagoria--Ministers of the Persian Court--Mahomed - Hoosein Khan Mervee. - - -Ten years had elapsed since my first visit to the court of Persia, and -many changes had occurred, both in men and measures. The Russians, -within this short period, had advanced their frontier from the north -of the Caucasus to the banks of the Araxes, a space of above four -hundred miles. Buonaparte had laid his plans for chaining the bear -of Russia and the lion of Persia, with the design of harnessing them -to the his war-chariot, that he might drive in triumph over the rich -plains of India. His name was familiar to numbers in Persia, and some -few understood the character of his power. Among these was my shrewd -old friend Aga Mahomed Casim-Wala,[135] of Isfahan, who is at once a -professor, a poet, a philosopher, and a very inquisitive politician. -"This Buonaparte," said he to me one morning, when I paid him a visit -in his apartment at the college, "is a wonderful man; he wields empires -as if they were clubs. After he has settled with Turkey, he will, -unless our king shapes his policy to his liking, give Persia a knock on -the head with Russia, and then make use of both to overthrow your power -in India. Happen what will," said old Aga Mahomed, "he is a magnificent -fellow, a perfect Faringee Chenghiz Khan."[136] - -I am treading on forbidden ground; I have nothing to say to politics: -if I had, this chapter might be more amusing. I could tell of French -and English schemes for harlequin-changes, which were to leave my -Persian friends no remains of barbarism but their beards! of Mahomedan -princes trained to be reformers, of the sudden introduction of the fine -arts, and of the roving tribes of Tartary and the wild mountaineers -of Fars becoming, by the proper use of a few cabalistical phrases, -disciplined regiments. These, and many similar transformations, -were meant to prove that we lived in an age when any instructed or -enlightened man might, if furnished with the necessary implements of -pen, ink, and paper, effect any given change, on any given nation, in -a few months. - -This was not the first time that such experiments had been tried in -Persia; for, besides a knowledge of the civil and military arts of -Europe, efforts had been made to teach the Seffavean monarchs and -their nobles to understand the laws, institutions, and governments -of the more civilized world. The sarcastic and penetrating Gibbon, -when speaking of the attempt, observes, "Chardin says that European -travellers have diffused among the Persians some ideas of the freedom -and mildness of our governments: they have done them a very ill -office." This may be too severe; but if instruction is of a character -to diminish happiness, without furthering improvement, he would be bold -who should call it a blessing. A medicine may be excellent in itself, -yet, from the peculiar habits and constitution of the patient, it may -act as a poison. These and many similar sentences of wisdom I have now -and then uttered, when talking about the proposed sudden regeneration -of the Eastern world, but I never could obtain a hearing. My plans of -slow and almost imperceptible change, which were not confined to the -teaching half a dozen individuals, but embraced a whole people in their -operation, have been ridiculed as proving nothing but the sluggishness -of my understanding. When I have pleaded experience, I have been -accused of giving that name to prejudice; my toleration of systems out -of my power to alter, and interwoven with every feeling, habit, and -enjoyment of the communities in which they prevail, has been referred -to my narrow views; and all my pretensions to discernment and judgment -have been called in question because I have persuaded myself, and -tried to persuade others, that Asiatics, though they are not so fair -as we are, though they are of a different religion, speak a different -language, and have neither made the same advances in science nor in -civilization, are, notwithstanding these disadvantages, not altogether -destitute of good and great qualities, both of head and heart. - -Liable as I am to such accusations, I must cautiously limit myself -to facts, which I know from observation, or have heard from persons -worthy of credit; but should my reader detect me in the sin of taking -a more favourable view of human nature than its merits, I shall hope -to be forgiven; while I pray that the stranger, who visits the land of -my nativity, may come to it with a mind disposed rather to dwell on -its green and fertile valleys, than upon its rugged rocks and bleak -mountains. May he find enough of sound and good feeling among its -inhabitants to make him look with indulgence on their failings and -excesses. If he quarrels with that luxury and refinement, which, by -supplying, multiply the wants of men; if he doubts the good of many of -the laws and institutions which belong to an artificial society, the -frame and workings of which the labour of a life would not enable him -to comprehend, may he contemplate it in a spirit of humility, which -rather leads him to question the correctness of his own judgment, than -to pronounce, on a superficial glance, that every thing is wrong, which -does not accord with his own habits and feelings. - -When the second mission reached his court, the King of Persia was -encamped at his summer-quarters of Sooltaneah, an extensive plain, -whose elevation gives it a pleasant temperature during the hot season. -The Elchee was welcomed, on his approach to the camp, by his old friend -Nou Roz Khan, whose personal appearance was unchanged by the ten years -which had intervened since our last meeting. His manner, as usual, was -cordial and frank; and he seemed particularly delighted to inform the -Elchee of the king's continued favour. "His majesty," said Nou Roz -Khan, "desires me to say that he will be delighted to see you, and bids -me assure you, that if you have met with any obstacles or difficulties -on this mission,[137] they have not been occasioned by him." - -The ceremonies of our approach to court, and of our visit to the king, -prince, and ministers, were exactly the same as on the first mission. -The king was, if possible, more friendly and gracious. Among other -proofs of personal favour, he insisted on bestowing a distinguished -mark of his regard on the Elchee, and the order of the Lion and Sun -(the arms of Persia) was created for that purpose.[138] The investiture -of this order took place on our visit of leave. Dresses of honour were -sent for the Elchee and his suite. When we came to the tent at the -entrance into the king's pavilion, we were met by one of the chief -ministers, and a ferman or royal mandate was read, conferring on the -Elchee the title of Khan or Lord, with the rank of Sipah-Silar or -General. This ferman was then placed in his hat, it being the custom -for a Persian noble, on receiving any honorary title from his king, to -wear the patent of creation in his cap when he goes to court to return -thanks. After we were seated, his majesty congratulated the Elchee on -his accession of rank. "When you came here first," he said, "you were a -Captain; you are now a General in your own country; I have made you a -Khan and Sipah-Silar in mine. At your next visit, which must be soon, I -shall expect you to be a Ferman-Fermaee or Ruler: but approach nearer." - -The Elchee rose, and went up to the throne, on which the king was -seated; and his majesty, taking up a diamond-star, began to pin it on -the Elchee's coat. It was evidently the first time the royal hands -had been so employed. "The king"--a title by which he often speaks -of himself--"the king," said he, "does not understand this kind of -business;" and he laughed heartily at his own awkwardness. However, he -would not allow any one to help him, and having at length accomplished -the task, he again congratulated the Elchee, saying, "You are now -confirmed in my service; I can show no higher favour than this. And -that star on your breast will convince all the world of the regard in -which the king holds you." - -Nothing was wanting to render this farewell audience kind and gracious. -His majesty, on our rising to take leave, expressed his hope of seeing -the Elchee again, saying, "Every second has a third;"[139] and when we -were fifty yards from the throne, and making our last bow, departing -from all usage, he exclaimed in a loud voice, to the Elchee, "Once more -may God preserve you." The courtiers looked amazed at this deviation -from established form; and the prime minister told the Elchee he ought -to value it far beyond all the honours conferred upon him. - -Enough has been said of the king: it remains to speak of the -heir-apparent. I one day accompanied the Elchee to a review of some -regular infantry, to which Abbas Meerza had invited him, and at which -his highness commanded in person, and put the troops through all -their manoeuvres. When this review was over, he requested to see the -Elchee's escort, consisting of a select party of English dragoons, -some native cavalry from India, and a brigade of horse-artillery. He -expressed great admiration of the manner in which this small body went -through their evolutions, and said, with such models he trusted soon -to have a fine army. This hope the Elchee's answer did not encourage. -On a subsequent visit to the prince the topic was renewed; and I was -somewhat surprised to find the Elchee so little of a courtier as to -express the same sentiments to a prince, whose ears, it was evident, -had long been soothed by far different language. Abbas Meerza listened -with great patience, but his uneasy feelings were evident. "Why, from -what you state," he observed, with much emotion, "I shall be an old man -before I can make any progress with my present plans; and after all, -they are likely to come to nothing." The Elchee said he was bound by -his regard for his highness to speak the truth. "I am much obliged to -you," answered the prince; "you think, I perceive, that the irregular -horse of Persia are the best defence of our country; but they can never -do what regular troops and cannon can." "But they can do much that -regular troops and cannon cannot," replied the Elchee. "That is true," -said the prince; and here ended the conversation. Neither party seemed -convinced; Abbas Meerza continuing firm in his resolution to follow up -his plans of improvement, and the Elchee appearing equally satisfied -that these plans were nowise suited either to the present condition of -Persia or the character of its people. - -Abbas Meerza was, at this time, a young prince of engaging manners, -handsome in person, and gifted with quickness and discernment. Owing to -his intercourse with Europeans, he had thrown off many of those habits -of state and ceremony which are so punctiliously observed by persons -of high rank in Persia. He was now exercising his battalions, and he -rode along the lines without an attendant. After the review, seeing -the Elchee's curricle with a pair of fine Arab horses, he desired to -have a drive. It was the first carriage of the kind he had ever been -in, and he was quite delighted. As the horses trotted along the road to -Teheran, he ordered his attendants to return. "Go," said he, laughing, -"and tell my father I am on my way to his capital with the Elchee." - -The curricle which had so delighted the prince was afterwards given -to the king, who was equally pleased with it; and still more with the -rapid movements and quick firing of two pieces of horse-artillery, -which were presented to him. "These," he said, "will destroy all my -enemies." The Elchee stated that what he had brought were only models, -which the ingenuity of his majesty's subjects would soon copy; and -suggested that it would be necessary to make roads for wheel carriages; -and roads, he added, if generally introduced, would be found alike -useful for pleasure, for commerce, and for war. - -The wisdom which prompted this advice was lauded to the skies. Roads -were admitted to be a great and obvious improvement, at once ornamental -and profitable to Persia. Plans for making and keeping them in repair -were required and furnished. The royal mandate, the Elchee was told, -should be issued immediately: and he was much pleased at the thought -of having given rise to a measure so good, and which he considered as -preparing the way for the permanent improvement of the country. But, -aware of the difficulties likely to obstruct the plan, he begged the -minister of finance, Ameen-ood-Douleh, to confine the first attempt to -the communication between Sooltaneah, Teheran, and Tebreez; and advised -that the results of this experiment should determine the further -prosecution of the scheme. - -The minister of finance, who was as remarkable for his plain manners -as for his plain sense, acknowledged the justice of this suggestion. -"But you know Persia," was his concluding significant remark; which -sufficiently informed the Elchee that his project of road-making, -however easy of execution, from the nature of the country and climate, -would share the fate of other schemes, which it was then the fashion -at the court of Persia to adopt, commence, and abandon. These highways -required labour; which labour, political economists would have told the -king, must be paid for by money, by provisions, or by the remission -of other exactions. But this information would have been of little -benefit, for I never knew a man, who, with all his good qualities, -would listen with so little patience to political economists, as the -king of kings, Fatteh Ali Shah; for that monarch, besides the habits -and prejudices of his condition, has personally an insurmountable -objection to all measures which include disbursement. - -Time may do much with my Persian friends, but we must not expect to -hurry that tardy-paced worker of miracles. We may inspire a few with -that thirst for real glory, which desires to create, not to destroy; -others may be instructed in science; but even in those whom we may -elevate above their countrymen, early habits and national prejudices -will still be too strong for us. Their speeches and their writings -may exhibit enlightened minds; but their actions will follow their -established usages and ordinary habits; and their conduct will too -often be what it was formerly. Like the lady-cat in the fable, they -will be apt to spring from the board we have spread for them, whenever -a mouse shows itself. - -When the first mission was at Teheran, we found a chief there, -called Ali Mahomed Khan, who had been compelled, by some political -revolutions, to quit Cabool, and take refuge in Persia. He was a -man of rank, and had been received and treated with hospitality and -distinction by the king, who signified to the Elchee his wish, that he -should take this nobleman to India, whither he was desirous of going. -This request was the more readily complied with, as the Elchee had -found Ali Mahomed a pleasant, and apparently a sensible man. I became -very intimate with him; and when we arrived at Calcutta, I took great -pleasure in showing him that splendid capital of the British dominions -in the East. I pointed out the crowded shipping in its noble river; the -elegant streets thronged with carriages; the newly-erected palace of -its ruler; its college; the magnificent abodes of public officers and -wealthy merchants; all, in short, that could impress him with an idea -of the happy results of civilization. - -Seeing my friend quite delighted with the contemplation of this rich -scene, I asked him, with some exultation, what he thought of it? "A -wonderful place to plunder!"[140] was his reply; and his eyes glistened -as he made it, with anticipated enjoyment. - -I mentioned this anecdote to my Christian friend, Khojah Arratoon, our -treasurer. "Ay, ay," said the old man, "nature will come out. What you -have related verifies our Armenian proverb: they were preaching the -Gospel over the head of a wolf--'Stop!' said he; 'I see a flock of -sheep passing.'" - -I do not mean, in what I have here said, to condemn national efforts -to spread knowledge, nor to deny that such endeavours may in due -season produce happy effects; but such results will be retarded, -not accelerated, by all attempts at rapid and premature changes. In -endeavouring to effect these, we are often as absurd in our admiration -of individuals, to whom a few of our own favourite lights have been -imparted, as in our condemnation of those whom we conceive to remain -in their primitive darkness. We altogether forget that it is from the -general condition of the country that the character of the population -is chiefly formed. Hereditary and undisputed succession to the throne, -though it may not diminish the frequency of foreign wars, nor prevent -the shedding of human blood, gives an internal security, which leads -to the introduction of a system that enables such a state to have -efficient and permanent civil and military establishments; and it -also gives, to a great proportion of its subjects, a valuable leisure -to pursue science and literature, which gradually lead to further -improvements in society. But in countries like Persia all government -is personal; institutions and establishments rise and fall with the -caprice of a sovereign; and supposing him steady in his objects, still -the probability is, that they prosper and die with their founder; and -while their basis is so unstable, and their duration so uncertain, they -cannot be permanently efficient or useful. - -Revolutions of such a nature as we desire will work themselves into -form, when time changes men's sentiment, and ripens a nation for -them; but we too often, in the foolish pride of our knowledge, rush -towards the end, with little or no consideration about the means. In -our precocious plans, we cast the blame from that on which it ought -to rest, upon those we desire to reform. Because men continue, like -their ancestors, to live under an arbitrary monarch, and have not the -precise qualities upon which we value ourselves, we hasten to the -conclusion that they are slaves and barbarians, whom the force of habit -and prejudice alone saves from being as miserable as they are degraded. -Viewing them in this light, we waste a pity upon them which they -neither value nor understand; nor has it, if we analyze its grounds, -any just foundation. Though unacquainted with political freedom, though -superficial in science, and unlearned in Greek or Latin, they are not -without defences against injustice or despotism; and the very condition -of their society gives them, on all points affecting themselves, -their families, or friends, an intuitive quickness and clearness of -perception, which appears wonderful to men rendered dull, as it were, -by civilization. Neither are such nations deficient in those arts, -which are subservient to the subsistence, and promote the enjoyments -of man; and they are perhaps more alive than we improved beings to -those passions whence so much of our happiness and misery flow. - -I have travelled much, but have found little difference in the -aggregate of human felicity. My pride and patriotism have often been -flattered by the complaints and comparisons of the discontented; but I -have never met any considerable number of a tribe or nation, who would -have exchanged their condition for that of any other people upon the -earth. When I have succeeded, as I often did, in raising admiration -and envy, by dwelling upon the advantages of the British government, I -have invariably found that these feelings vanished, when I explained -more specifically the sacrifices of personal liberty, the restraints -of the law, and the burden of taxation, by which these advantages are -purchased. It was the old story of the Arab nurse, who could not endure -England because there were no date trees; and the King of Persia, who, -though feeling all the insecurity of his own crown, could not for a -moment tolerate the thoughts of wearing that of England, which would -have reduced him to only one wife! - -Such observations should have made me humble; but they did not. I -continued to value myself on my superiority; and when in Persia, was -as eager as any of our party to parade my knowledge, particularly in -science (which, by-the-bye, was my weak point), and to enjoy the wonder -which its display produced. - -One of the chief means of astonishing our Persian friends, on the first -mission, was an electrifying machine, with the effects of which we -surprised and alarmed all, from majesty itself to the lowest peasant. - -When it was exhibiting at Shiraz, for the gratification of Cheragh Ali -Khan, who had come to pay the Elchee a visit, this formal minister -expressed himself satisfied with the sparks he saw elicited, and the -slight shocks which were given to others. He declined receiving one -himself, though he expressed a conviction that he was above being -startled, like those upon whom he had seen the experiment tried. This -great man, having very condescendingly taken a walk into the garden -to give his attendants an opportunity of seeing the effects of the -wonderful machine, returned while they were encircling the operator -(our doctor) and holding each other's hands in expectation of the -shock. It is, in Persia, deemed very indecorous for any one to have his -back turned when a man of rank enters the apartment; but for domestics -to behave in this manner is an almost inexpiable offence. The good -people of whom I speak were, however, in too breathless a state of -expectation to observe the approach of their lord, who, enraged by this -apparent rudeness, seized, with a most indignant air, the shoulder of -one of them, to take him to task. At this moment, whether by accident -or design has never yet been discovered, the shock was given. Each -quitted the hold of his neighbour, and started back; while Cheragh Ali -Khan, who felt it the more from its being unexpected, staggered against -the wall, and looked the very picture of terror. - -The Elchee, who had entered the room with him, could not repress -his mirth. This was the signal for all; and even the lowest of the -domestics went away tittering at what had befallen their magnificent -master, who, after a short pause, during which dignity had a struggle -with good sense, allowed the latter to gain the victory, and laughed -like others at what had occurred. - -At Isfahan all were delighted with the electric machine, except one -renowned doctor and lecturer of the college, who, envious of the -popularity gained by this display of our superior science, contended -publicly, that the effects produced were moral, not physical--that -it was the mummery we practised, and the state of nervous agitation -we excited, which produced an ideal shock: but he expressed his -conviction, that a man of true firmness of mind would stand unmoved -by all we could produce out of our glass bottle, as he scoffingly -termed our machine. He was invited to the experiment, and declared his -readiness to attend at the next visit the Begler-Beg paid the Elchee. - -The day appointed soon arrived. The Begler-Beg came with a numerous -retinue, and amongst others the doctor, whom we used to call "Red -Stockings," from his usually wearing scarlet hose. He was, we found, -notwithstanding his learning and reputed science, often made an object -of mirth in the circles of the great and wealthy at Isfahan, to whom -he furnished constant matter of amusement, from the pertinacity with -which he maintained his dogmas. He had nearly, we were told, lost his -life the year before, by marching up to a large buck-antelope, which -was known to be vicious, but which, according to the theory of the -philosopher, was to be overawed by the erect dignity of man, provided -he was fearlessly approached. The consequence of this experiment -was different from what the theorist expected. The wild animal very -unceremoniously butted the doctor into a deep dry ditch in the field -where he was grazing, and the learned man was confined to his bed -nearly three months, during which, he had ample time to consider the -causes of this unlooked-for event. - -Though the above and similar instances might afford reason for -concluding, that Red Stockings, with all his philosophy, was not -overwise, I discovered that he maintained his ground in the first -society, by means common in Persia as in other countries. He was, in -fact, "a little of the fool,[141] and not too much of the honest." This -impression of his character, combined with his presumption, made us -less scrupulous in our preparations to render him an example for all -who might hereafter doubt the effects of our boasted electricity; and -indeed our Persian visitors seemed anxious that the effect should be -such as to satisfy the man who had dared us to the trial, that it was -physical, not moral. - -The philosopher, notwithstanding various warnings, came boldly up, -took hold of the chain with both hands, planted his feet firmly, shut -his teeth, and evidently called forth all his resolution to resist -the shock. It was given; and poor Red Stockings dropt on the floor as -if he had been shot. There was a momentary alarm: but on his almost -instant recovery, and the Elchee explaining that the effect had been -increased by the determination to resist it, all gave way to one -burst of laughter. The good-natured philosopher took no offence. He -muttered something about the re-action of the feelings after being -over-strained, but admitted there was more in the glass-bottle than he -had anticipated. - -As the Persians had become acquainted with electrical machines, by -their increased intercourse with Europeans, the Elchee, when on his -second mission, did not choose again to trust to one of them for -the entertainment of his friends. He purchased, therefore, for this -purpose, a large and excellent phantasmagoria, which was furnished with -numerous glasses; on these were painted spectres, with shapes monstrous -beyond what the poet's fancy ever bodied forth. - -With our phantasmagoria, old and young, rich and poor, were in -raptures. The prince at Shiraz was the first person of royal blood -to whom it was exhibited, and he declared his wonder and delight at -this extraordinary invention. Persons were instructed to exhibit it to -his ladies, who, we learned, were enchanted with its effects; and his -mother,[142] an able princess, who had long exercised supreme authority -over him and the province of Fars, declaring herself gratified beyond -measure at the wonders she had seen. - -What rendered the phantasmagoria more attractive, was the ingenuity -and talent of a young man from India,[143] who had charge of it. -Besides being an adept in exhibiting it, he made frames, and painted, -as occasion required, the glass he placed in them, with all kinds of -Persian figures; and part of the story told in the day was sometimes -exhibited at the Elchee's evening entertainments, which were often -attended by dignified persons, who had before withheld their presence -from regard to punctilious ceremony, but could not resist their -curiosity. Thus our phantasmagoria became an important implement of -diplomacy. - -The Prince of Persia was anxious to possess this treasure, but as its -fame had preceded the mission, it was not judged politic to disappoint -the excited expectations of majesty; our magical box therefore -accompanied us, and produced equal effects at the great court assembled -at Sooltaneah, as it had at that of Shiraz. - -The Elchee took particular pleasure, in the astonishment produced -by his phantasmagoria. I one day suggested that wise and grave men, -filling high stations, might expose themselves to ridicule from being -amused by such trifles, and employing them as means of amusing and -gratifying others. His quick reply was, "The man who is always wise, is -a fool! and he, above all others, is most foolish, who, entrenched in -forms and observances, neglects to use every honest means with which -human nature supplies him, to promote fair and honourable objects. -Besides," he added, "this amuses me, as much as any grown-up child -in Persia, and it is from my keen-sighted guests observing that my -enjoyment is real, that they are so much delighted. Were I to parade -my superiority, by denying myself this, and other gratifications, -which may be deemed trifling by men of measured manners, they would -also be reserved and dignified, and we should become a group of those -formalists, whom our great philosopher[144] has described, as always -using shifts and perspectives, to make superficies seem body that hath -depth and bulk." - -After this answer, in which those that know him as well as I do will -discover that the Elchee had succeeded in persuading himself, that his -natural love of amusement was a valuable diplomatic quality; I, as a -true follower of a mission, found it necessary to acquiesce in his -reasoning, and must, therefore, recommend phantasmagorias, or something -similar, as of essential importance to the success of all future -embassies to Persia! - -I found, on this second mission, that the duties of Hajee Ibrahim -had, at his death, been divided amongst several ministers. My old -friend, Hajee Mahomed Hoosein, who had been so kind to us on the first -mission, when he was Begler-Beg of Isfahan, was now, under the title -of Ameen-ood-Douleh,[145] at the head of the finance and revenue -department. He had risen from a low origin, that of a small shopkeeper -in Isfahan. The Persians, who delight in the wonderful, spoke of his -riches as immense, and they referred the origin of that wealth (which -enabled him to preserve the favour of the king, by satisfying his -cupidity) to his having obtained part of the royal treasure, which -was lost at Isfahan by Jaffier Khan Zend, when he fled, in the year -1785, in such confusion from that city, that not only his baggage -and treasures, but the ensigns of royalty, were plundered by its -inhabitants. - -This account may have some foundation, but inquiry and observation -satisfied me, that the wealth of this sensible minister arises out of -those more honourable sources which his industry and good management -have created. Suffice it, as a proof of this fact, to state, that every -province under him is prosperous; and the city of Isfahan has more than -doubled its inhabitants, and quadrupled its manufacture of rich silk -and brocade, during the twenty years that he has been its governor. - -Hajee Mahomed Hoosein[146] is a man of great simplicity of manners, -and neither has, nor pretends to, any of that wit, or brilliancy in -conversation, for which many of the Persians are so distinguished. -He is rather dull in company, and appears what he really is, a plain -man of business. A friend of mine one day breakfasting with him, was -surprised to hear him say to a poor man, who brought a pair of slippers -to sell, "Sit down my honest friend, and take your breakfast; we will -bargain about the slippers afterwards." - -This admission of inferiors to their society at meals is not, however, -uncommon with men of rank in Persia. It arises out of a sense of the -sacred duties of hospitality, and out of parade, if they have not -the reality of that humility so strongly inculcated in the Koran. -Besides, their character and condition often disposes them to relax -with those beneath them, and even with menial servants, whom they -admit to a familiarity which at first view appears contradictory to -those impressions we have of their haughty character. I was one day -almost reproached by Aga Meer, on account of the difference which he -observed in our behaviour to those of our countrymen, who were below -us in condition. "You speak of your consideration for inferiors," -said he to me, "but you keep them at a much greater distance than we -do. Is this your boasted freedom?" I told him that it was exactly -our boasted freedom, which compelled us to the conduct we observed. -"You are so classified in Persia," said I, "that you can descend -from your condition as you like; a man below you will never presume -on your familiarity so far as to think himself, for a moment, on the -same level with those, who are so entirely distinct from his class -in the community. In England we are all equal in the eye of the law, -the rights of every man are the same; the differences which exist are -merely those of fortune, which place us in the relation of master and -servant; but where there is no other distinction, we are obliged to -preserve that with care, or all forms and respects would soon be lost." - - -The good Meerza admitted that there might be some truth in what I -stated. "But yours is a strange country," he said; "I shall never quite -understand its ways and usages." - -Meerza Sheffee,[147] who styles himself Premier, may be called the -minister of the court; he is a veteran in all its arts, intrigues, and -corruptions. Good-humoured, quick, and flexible, he has managed to -steer his crooked course through a long life, and still retains his -head and his eyes, though both have, no doubt, been often in danger. -The king is attached to him, as an old servant of the family. - -Riza Koolee is also an old servant of the Kajir princes. He is a man of -talent; his manners are peculiarly pleasing, and he is one of the most -eloquent persons I have heard in Persia. I had not the same opportunity -of becoming intimately acquainted with this minister, as with others; -but, if common report is to be believed, he has few superiors in good -sense or good feeling. He has evinced none of that precocious ambition -which is so common with his countrymen. He is reputed to be a modest -as well as a deserving man, and the favour and fortune he has attained -have not been acquired by means which could make him enemies. By -not pressing into the front rank, he has long combined safety with -advancement.[148] - -These are the principal ministers of the king; but Meerza Boozoorg, -who has long presided, under the title of Kaim Mekam, over the councils -of the heir-apparent, may be said to have much more influence than -any of them in the political department. He has greater experience, -and understands the foreign interests of his country, better than any -other minister; and joins to an equal temper, a thorough knowledge of -the nature of his own situation, and the characters of those it is -his duty to serve and obey. He amused me one day, by telling me the -rule by which he had hitherto escaped, and trusted he should continue -to escape, the common fate of Persian ministers. "I never," said he, -"accumulate money or property; I have a small inheritance in land, -which has been in my family for centuries; this cannot, in accordance -with usage, be confiscated: and as to every thing else, I spend it as -I get it. This principle is known; and the king," he added, "often -laughs, and says, 'I should not gain one piastre by the death and -plunder of that extravagant fellow, Meerza Boozoorg.'"[149] - -I must not forget in this place to mention Meerza Abd-ool-Wahhab, -who has long been, and still continues, the Moonshee-ool-Memalik, or -chief letter-writer of the state; and well he merits his eminence. I -recognised his talent for the sublime, from the difficulty I had in -discovering his meaning, amidst the clouds of tropes and metaphors -with which it is always enveloped. That, however, is the taste of his -country; and the man must have merit, who stands acknowledged to be -the first in an art, in which all Persians of liberal education strive -to excel. His character, in other respects, is that of a very sensible -and respectable man; though an old Moollah, a friend of mind, shook his -head when I praised him, and whispered, "All you say may be true, but -he is an inveterate Soofee." - -Among the acquaintances I formed at this second visit, there was -none that interested me in any degree so much as Mahomed Hoosein -Khan of Merv, from whom I heard a short but affecting account of the -vicissitudes of his eventful life. The facts he narrated exhibit so -much of Asiatic character in its best and worst lights, that they must -be acceptable to the reader. Of their correctness there can be no -doubt, being alike confirmed by the internal evidence of their truth, -the corroborating statements of contemporaries, and the high character -of the narrator of his own extraordinary adventures. - -The city of Merv,[150] during the reign of the Seffavean monarchs, -was considered the most important frontier post of Persia; and in the -reign of Tamasp the second, its defence was intrusted to the valour of -a branch of the tribe of Kajir. As the strength of the nation decayed, -the chiefs of this tribe were left, almost unsupported, to resist the -attacks of the Tartar tribes on the Oxus, who made annual inroads upon -them. They received for some years casual aid from the Afghans of -Cabool; but that government also fell into confusion; and Byram Ali -Khan, the father of Mahomed Hoosein, had for several years to contend -against that extraordinary bigot, Beggee Jan,[151] who had, by an union -of fanaticism and wisdom, consolidated the divided tribes of this part -of Tartary into one government, of which Bokhara was the capital. - - -The actions of Byram Ali, though given on the most authentic records, -appear more like a romance than a history. Suffice it here to say, he -closed, on the banks of the Oxus, a life marked by the most gallant -achievements, leaving his son the city and walls of Merv (for all its -fields were desolate), and the name and example of a father almost -worshipped by his soldiers, and as much praised when dead, as dreaded -while living, by the enemies of his country. - -Mahomed Hoosein Khan, though quite a youth, defended what remained of -his inheritance with an unsubdued spirit; which obtained from every one -an acknowledgment, that the son was worthy of his renowned sire. But -all his struggles were unavailing, against the overwhelming numbers of -the Oosbegs, who at last reduced the city to such a state of famine and -distress, that its inhabitants insisted upon their chief surrendering -to a power which it was hopeless any longer to oppose. He was carried -with all his family to Bokhara. I shall give the remainder of his story -in his own words, as nearly as they can be recollected from his plain -but minute relation. - -"Beggee Jan was anxious I should adopt his creed, that of a Soofee, and -abandon what he deemed the errors of the Sheah faith. Circumstances -compelled me so far to conform, that he expected my conversion, and for -some time treated me and my family with respect, and even kindness. - -"During a period of some years, having no other employment, I applied -myself to literature, and read all the histories I could find. I should -have continued to spend a contented, if not a happy life, in such -pursuits, had this tranquillity not been interrupted by the flight of -my nephew, Bakir Khan, to the king of Persia. I was considered as the -contriver of his escape, and from that moment was looked upon as an -enemy of Beggee Jan. - -"Being aware of the suspicions he entertained, I one day addressed him -in open court. I reminded him of his having sworn to treat me and mine -with kindness, and of the peculiar obligations which an oath should -impose upon a man of his sanctity. I bade him dismiss his suspicions, -and act as he had hitherto done; or confirm them by an examination of -facts, and to treat me as a criminal if he found that I had in any way -acted contrary to my word, or to that honour which belonged to me as -the chief of a tribe, and a native of Merv, whose inhabitants had ever -been celebrated for strict regard to their pledged faith. - -"Seeing the manly openness of this address had an effect upon his -nobles and attendants, the old hypocrite arose from his seat, came -forward, and kissed my forehead, while he thanked me for speaking -to him as I had done, and promised to dismiss from his mind every -suspicion regarding me. He was, however, most insincere, and had no -wish but to destroy me. - -"It would be tiresome," said Mahomed Hoosein, "to repeat all the -artifices Beggee Jan used, to enable him to effect this object without -loss of character. Finding, however, that I was on my guard, and that -I pursued a line of conduct which gave him no hopes of entangling -me in his toils, he determined to seize and put me to death. It was -long before I could bring myself to think that a person of his wary -character would have recourse to unjustifiable violence; nor was it -until his guards had surrounded my house, and were bursting open the -gates, that I could believe he would proceed to such extremities. My -followers, when this occurred, entreated leave to resist the attack. -'Let us at least die in warm blood,' they said. I forbade them to stir, -adding, that it was perhaps only my life he sought, and my family -and friends might be spared. At this moment the voice of Beggee Jan -was heard, exclaiming, 'Bring me the head of Mahomed Hoosein Khan.' -Satisfied of his object, I gave way to the earnest entreaties of all -around me, and fled through a small back gate of the house, accompanied -only by my nephew, Ibrahim Beg. I took this step, not so much from the -hope of saving my own life, as that my escape would prevent further -outrage to my family. It had the desired effect; for on its being -stated that I was gone, and a strict search confirming the assertion, -the troops were withdrawn, and sent with others in pursuit of one -against whom their sovereign had now become perfectly furious. - -"The detail of my journeys and sufferings, from the hour of my escape, -till I found refuge in Persia, would fill volumes. I shall make it -as short as possible; for though I dwell on some parts of the scene -with pleasing recollections, there are others which I cannot think of -without horror. However, God's will be done; let his glorious name be -praised for all he does; it is not for blind mortals to complain." -After these pious ejaculations the Khan proceeded with his narration. - -"I had only three friends in the town on whom I could depend. I -proceeded to the door of one, but he was asleep, and I durst not make -the noise necessary to awake him. When I came to the house of the -second, I learnt that Beggee Jan had sent for him: and the third, I was -informed by his domestics, having heard of my situation, had hastened -to the scene, in the expectation of contributing to my escape. - -"Hopeless and wearied, I wandered all that night about the streets of -Bokhara, and a hundred times heard it proclaimed that ten thousand -pieces of gold should be the reward of him who brought me to Beggee Jan. - -"It was towards morning when I went out of the gate of the city, -accompanied only by my nephew. We concealed ourselves in a corn field -till the evening, and then, though worn out with hunger, anxiety, -and fatigue, we took the road leading to Sheher-Sebz.[152] I was -bare-footed, and unaccustomed to walk; but my situation gave me a -power of exertion beyond what I could have believed; and after a most -distressing and dangerous journey we arrived at that city, the ruler -of which, Niyaz Ali, moved by the account of my sufferings, treated me -with kindness and distinction. - -"I remained six months at Sheher-Sebz, with a heart painfully anxious -for my family; but knowing that I was pursued by the rancorous hatred -of Beggee Jan, and being satisfied that though Niyaz Ali had not -the means to defend me, he would never be so base as to give me up, -I chose to relieve him from the embarrassment my presence created. -When I intimated my intention to leave him, he expressed much regret, -as he feared that my powerful enemy might succeed in seizing me. He -suggested, as the best chance of escape, that I should go to Narbotta -Beg, the Prince of Ourat Teppah, which I accordingly did. - -"Soon after my departure, Beggee Jan attacked Sheher-Sebz, and demanded -that I should be given up; but the generous Niyaz Ali concealed my -having left him, till he heard of my safe arrival at Ourat Teppah, when -he announced my flight, and the attack of his city was abandoned. - -"After remaining some months at Ourat Teppah, I desired to leave -it, but the prince would not consent, until he heard that my enemy -was secretly employing agents to murder his guest. His knowledge of -the devotion of the Oosbegs to their sovereign made him have the -most serious fears for my life and his own honour, if I continued -within reach of these assassins. To save both, he had recourse to an -extraordinary expedient. - -"He took my nephew and me with him on one of his hunting parties, and -privately asked me in what direction I wished to proceed. I told him -I desired to visit the court of Zeman Shah. He immediately (without -informing any one) placed us in two large trunks, which were put on -camels and sent away as merchandise on the road towards Thibet.[153] - -"After we were beyond the reach of Beggee Jan we visited many towns -in Tartary; but on our arrival at Thibet, I learnt that Abdulla Khan, -governor of Cashmere, had rebelled, and the country was consequently -in a state of confusion. I was therefore compelled to take the road -of Bedekshan, and the mountains of Siyah Posh,[154] dressed as a -Fakeer; and under this disguise I arrived safe at Cabool, after having -encountered a thousand distresses and dangers. - -"When I arrived at this city I did not deem it prudent to reveal -myself. Zeman Shah and his vizier were gone to Herat, and Fatteh Ali -Shah, king of Persia, was at Meshed. I continued a poor wandering -mendicant for some time in Cabool. I often saw noblemen of high rank, -with whom I was well acquainted, without their having the slightest -recollection of their former friend. At this period I had almost died -from want of food; and my distresses were increased by my nephew being -afflicted with worms in his feet, which disabled him from walking. I -had to support him along from place to place, when I was myself sinking -with hunger and fatigue. I one day went to the house of an old friend -to ask relief, but he was not at home. His servants directed me to the -caravanserai of Aga Mahomed of Koom. I went thither, and stopped near -the room in which was lodged Hajee Hoosein Abeer, a merchant whom I -had formerly employed and favoured. I stayed there some time, till, -mistaking me for a beggar, he bade me go away, saying he had nothing -to give me. I thought he recognized, but would not acknowledge me in -my distress, and I went away with a heavy but proud heart from the -door of a man whom, I immediately afterwards found, was at the very -time disbursing large sums on agents, whom he had sent in different -directions to ascertain my fate, in order to contribute to my relief. - -"Having seated myself at some distance from the caravanserai, a native -of Meshed passed, who had long been in my service. He no sooner cast -his eyes upon me, than he recognized his old master in spite of my -disguise, and threw himself at my feet. The moment he arose, he -hastened to the room of Hajee Hoosein Abeer, who instantly returned -with him; and after thanking God for this accidental discovery of -one to whom he owed such benefits, he begged me to accompany him to -his apartment. From that moment my sufferings were at an end. I was -provided with clothes, horses, and every thing that I required, and -proceeded towards Candahar in the character of a merchant; having -strictly enjoined those who knew me, not to disclose my name or rank. - -"I thought at first of waiting at Candahar till Zeman Shah reached that -city, and of trying what could be effected through his aid. I heard, -however, that he had proceeded from Herat to Cabool, by the upper road, -through the country of the Hazarrah. - -"As I observed, from the way in which affairs were conducted that the -government of this prince had no stability, I resolved on proceeding -to the court of Teheran; but not wishing to give the court of Cabool -any just ground of offence, I wrote to the vizier Wefa-dar Khan, and -gave him a particular account of all that had befallen me from the -time of my escape from Bokhara till that moment. Zeman Shah commanded -his minister to desire me to stay at Candahar until his arrival. But -I learnt the disposition of the court by the first two words of the -vizier's answer: these were, "Hookm-e-alee," or (it is) the high -command; a style of address suited only to an inferior. The instant I -read this expression I determined to leave a country where my reduced -condition made men presume to treat me with such arrogance. - -"When preparing to quit Candahar, the road was shut by the advance of -the prince Mahmood, who took the city, and I was plundered of all I had -brought from Cabool, as were also the merchants with whom I associated. -I remained at that city a short time after this event; but seeing -nothing in the character of Mahmood that gave me confidence, I did -not discover myself to him, but set out as soon as I could with some -merchants, and, travelling through Seestan, arrived at the fort of Khyn -in Khorassan, where I was kindly and hospitably treated by its chief, -who was an old friend of my family. He appointed a mehmandar to see me -safe to Teheran, and sent an express to announce my arrival to the king -of Persia, who instantly invited me to his court. - -"Before I arrived at Teheran, I learnt that the cruel tyrant of -Bokhara, enraged at my escape, had first imprisoned my family in -wells,[155] and afterwards put every one of them to death,[156] -upbraiding them with my having taken refuge in Persia, a country -towards which he ever entertained a spirit of the most inveterate -hostility. - -"I proceeded," said the Khan, hardly able to conclude his narration, -"with a broken heart, to the capital of Persia, where the noble and -generous conduct of this king affords me all the consolation I can -receive in this world, in which I am, though apparently surrounded with -every luxury and every honour, a wretched and desolate man." - -The forlorn and fugitive chief of Merv was received at the court of -Persia with every mark of regard and honour to which he would have been -entitled as lord of that once famous city and in the full zenith of his -power. The king went into mourning for his family, and every Omrah of -the Kajir tribe was ordered to pay him a visit of condolence; and even -Abbas Meerza was desired by his father to wait upon and console the -afflicted stranger and guest. - -On the death of Hajee Ibrahim, the king is said to have desired to -raise Mahomed Hoosein Khan to the rank of prime minister, but he -declined the dangerous dignity, declaring he had made a vow never again -to enter upon affairs of state, unless an opportunity was afforded him -of wreaking his vengeance on the merciless ruler of Bokhara, by sacking -that capital. - -Mahomed Hoosein Khan continues his habits of study, which, added -to the information he has acquired in his travels, renders his -conversation at once agreeable and instructive. His conduct, since he -came into Persia, has obtained him great respect from all classes. -There are some few who accuse him of intriguing, and assert, that -notwithstanding his professed vow, he secretly mixes in matters of -state: but such suspicions and accusations are probably the consequence -of his continuing to enjoy so great a share of the royal favour. His -ostensible station is that of the Nedeem, or chosen companion of the -sovereign, and as such he is almost in constant attendance upon the -king's person, whose whole conduct towards this unfortunate chief does -equal honour to his head and heart.[157] - -FOOTNOTES: - -[135] My old friend Casim-Wala died about five years after this -interview. Among other occupations of his latter years was that of -preparing for himself a place of interment in the Chehar-Bagh of -Isfahan. He built a small but handsome mausoleum, with a tomb in the -centre, for the top of which a fine marble slab was obtained from -Yezd; and he not only wrote his own epitaph on this stone, but had it -engraved, and every way finished, with the exception of the date of -his death. Near the mausoleum he made a fountain and flower garden, -with bowers and seats; and a gentleman who saw him a short time before -he died, tells me this spot became his favourite resort, where he -delighted to receive and converse with his friends and disciples. - -[136] Faringee, as has been before remarked, implies European. - -[137] This observation alluded to some embarrassments that had arisen -in consequence of two British envoys, one from England, and the other -India, meeting at the court of Persia. - -[138] Nothing can be more curious than the fact of Mahomedan princes -creating honours of knighthood to confer distinction on Christians. -The usage commenced with the court of Constantinople, and was followed -by that of Teheran. The King of Persia created the order of the Sun -for General Gardanne, the ambassador from Buonaparte. This order was -offered to Sir Harford Jones, envoy from the King of England, but was -declined on account of the circumstances attending its origin. It was -subsequently pressed upon the acceptance of the Elchee, but he deemed -it proper to follow the example of the envoy of the King of England. -The King of Persia determined, however, as he said, that his first -European friend should wear an order of his creation, and instituted -that of the Lion and Sun, which have been from very ancient times the -arms of Persia. - -[139] The number three is deemed fortunate in Persia as elsewhere. - -[140] "Ajeb jahee beraee chappau!" literally, a wonderful place for a -foray! - -[141] "_Poco di matto_" is deemed by the Italians an essential quality -in a great man's companion. - -[142] This remarkable lady, who for a long period might be said to -govern Fars, died three years ago of the cholera. - -[143] Mr. Sundt, an Anglo-Indian. - -[144] Bacon. - -[145] This title means, the security of the state. - -[146] This minister died three years ago. - -[147] This minister is dead since the journal was written from which -this is taken. - -[148] Since this journal was written he fell into disgrace and died, -after being some time minister to the Prince Regent of Fars. - -[149] This old and able minister died lately of the cholera. - -[150] Merv is the ancient Antiochia Margiana. It was founded by -Alexander and became the capital of one of his successors, Antiochus -Nicator. - -[151] For an account of this remarkable ruler, see History of Persia, -vol. ii. p. 243. - -[152] Sheher-Sebz means the Verdant City, a name given by Timoor to the -ancient city of Kesh, which was the place of his birth. It lies about -130 miles direct east of Bokhara. - -[153] Hajee Mahomed Hoosein Khan has written an account of this -extraordinary journey, and of the countries he passed through. - -[154] For an account of this remarkable people, see Elphinstone's -Cabool. - -[155] Imprisonment in dry wells is very common in some parts of Tartary. - -[156] Thirty-eight persons were put to death, of whom eleven were sons, -brothers, and nephews. - -Such of the women of his family as were not killed were given away to -persons of inferior condition; a brutal and degrading usage practised -in Persia, as well as Tartary, in cases where it is desired to disgrace -as well as punish men of high rank. - -[157] Mahomed Hoosein Khan of Merv has finished his earthly career -since this was written. - - - - -CHAPTER XX. - - Departure from Sooltaneah--Tebreez--Climate--Lake of Oormeah--Ahmed - the Cobbler. - - -Though delighted to turn towards home, the joy at our departure from -the royal camp was not unmingled with regret, at taking leave, probably -for the last time, of many of our Persian friends. The king's attention -to the Elchee had been most flattering, and we had all participated in -the royal favour. Fatteh Ali Shah had, indeed, with all due allowances -for other motives, evinced on this occasion sentiments and feelings -which did him honour as a man as well as a sovereign. - -We went from Sooltaneah to Tebreez, which has for many years been the -residence of the heir-apparent, Abbas Meerza. Tebreez is celebrated -as one of the most healthy cities in Persia, and it is on this ground -alone that we can account for its being so often rebuilt, after its -repeated demolition by earthquakes. It is seldom free, even for a -twelvemonth, from slight shocks; and it is little more than thirty -years since it was levelled with the ground, by one of these terrible -convulsions of nature. - -I was more surprised at the salubrity of this town, from knowing the -great extremes of heat and cold to which it is subject, having obtained -from a friend who had resided there during the whole of the preceding -year, a most accurate diary of the various changes of its climate. -From this it appeared, that on the twentieth of October there was a -heavy fall of snow, which did not however remain long upon the ground; -the weather again became mild, and there was no excessive cold until -the middle of December, from which period till the end of January -Fahrenheit's thermometer, when exposed to the air at night, never rose -above zero, and in the house, at mid-day, it was seldom above 18 deg. - -January was by far the coldest month; during it, the water is described -as becoming almost instantaneously solid in the tumblers upon the -dining table, and the ink often freezing in the inkstand, although the -table was quite close to the fire. For at least a fortnight not an egg -was to be had, all being split by the cold. Some bottles of wine froze, -although covered with straw, and many of the copper ewers were split by -the expansion of the water when frozen in them. - -According to this diary, the weather became comparatively mild towards -the end of February; but it appears that here, as in England, a - - "Lingering winter chills the lap of May;" - -for on the first of that month there was a heavy fall of snow, with -such cold, that all the promise of the spring was destroyed. Of the -heat that ensued, and the sudden and great changes to which Tebreez is -subject, we had abundant proof; in the month of June, the range of the -thermometer being usually, within the twenty-four hours, from 56 deg. -to 94 deg., a difference of 38 deg. - -The extreme heat of summer causes most of the houses in Tebreez to be -built so as to admit the air during that season; but the architects of -Persia fall far short of their brethren in Europe, in forming plans by -which the cool air can be admitted in summer and excluded in winter. -This partly accounts for the effects of the cold to which I have -alluded; but the city of Tebreez, and many other parts of Aderbejan, -and still more of the neighbouring province of Kurdistan, though -nowhere beyond the fortieth degree of latitude, are, from their great -elevation, subject to extreme cold. In the latter country I found, on -the morning of the seventeenth of August, ice half an inch thick on a -basin of water standing in my tent. - -During the few days we remained at Tebreez I was in continual -attendance upon the Elchee, who was engaged in inspecting the state -and equipment of the newly-formed regular troops of Persia. The day -before our departure he had had a long interview with Abbas Meerza, who -appeared to expect that what he had seen of his military improvements -would alter his sentiments as to the policy of the change. This, -however, was not the case; the arguments before urged were repeated: -and, though every credit was given to the young and ardent prince for -the surprising progress he had made, the Elchee still contended that it -must be dangerous for a country to make its armies more tangible to an -enemy, until certain of being his equal in the field of battle. - -In the course of their conversation upon this subject, the Elchee -related to the prince what the late minister, Hajee Ibrahim,[158] had -told him, of the sentiments and designs of that able monarch, Aga -Mahomed Khan, when a large army of Russians, under Valerian Zuboff, -crossed the Araxes, and encamped on the plain of Mogam, in the month of -November, 1796. - -Notwithstanding the severity of the season, Aga Mahomed Khan made every -preparation to resist the threatened invasion. He assembled the leaders -of his army, and told them that the Russians had presumed, during his -absence in Khorassan, to invade the opposite frontier of his dominions. -"But my valiant warriors," he added, "shall be led against them, and -we will, by the blessing of God, charge their celebrated lines of -infantry and batteries of cannon, and cut them to pieces with our -conquering swords." The chiefs applauded the heroic resolution of their -sovereign, and promised to support him with their lives. When they were -gone, the monarch directed Hajee Ibrahim to approach, and asked him -if he had heard what he said to the military commanders. The minister -said he had. "And do you think," said he, "I will do what I have told -them?" "Undoubtedly, if it is your majesty's pleasure," was the reply. -"Hajee," said Aga Mahomed Khan, half angry, "have I been mistaken? are -you also a fool? Can a man of your wisdom believe I will ever run my -head against their walls of steel, and expose my irregular army to be -destroyed by their cannon and disciplined troops? I know better. Their -shot shall never reach me; but they shall possess no country beyond -its range. They shall not know sleep; and, let them march where they -choose, I will surround them with a desert." - -From Tebreez, our first march of fifteen miles was to Khoosroo-Shah, a -village situated in a beautiful valley, where we remained for a day, -admiring the scenery, and enjoying the cool shade of the surrounding -groves and gardens. In one of the latter our mehmandar gave us a -sumptuous breakfast. - -Our second day's journey brought us in sight of the lake of Oormeah, -which is of considerable extent. We examined a marble quarry near its -shore, which had not been worked since the time of Nadir Shah. The -Persians wished us to believe that the peculiar quality of the water -of the lake, by mixing with the soil, formed the marble, which they -declared was soft when first cut, but became hard from exposure to the -sun. One of our party, who was a geologist, endeavoured to prove to -them that this belief was quite erroneous, by explaining the nature of -the strata of this quarry, as well as the composition of the marble; -but his knowledge was evidently most unpopular with the audience he -had gathered round him, and they continued as completely satisfied as -they had been before his scientific demonstrations, that the marble was -formed in the manner related by their fathers. - -The lake of Oormeah is computed to be three hundred miles in -circumference. It is very clear, but salt, and has a sulphureous smell. -We were assured that no fish or any living creature is to be found -in this great expanse of water, which one of the learned men of our -mission informed me was the Spauto of Strabo, and the Marcianus of -Ptolemy. - -From our encampment near the shore of this famous lake to the city of -Maraga is eighteen miles: we made this march at night. Moollah Adeenah, -the story-teller of his majesty, was one of our party. The Elchee -asked him to beguile the weariness of our road with a tale. "How many -fersekhs long do you wish it?" was his reply. "At least five," was the -answer. "I can exactly suit you," said the Moollah; "you shall have -Ahmed the cobbler." I could not help laughing at this mode of measuring -a tale; but I was assured it was a common custom, arising out of the -calculation professed story-tellers were compelled to make of the -leisure of their hearers. All further remarks upon this usage were put -an end to, by Moollah Adeenah desiring us to be silent and attentive: -his wish being complied with, he commenced as follows: - -"In the great city of Isfahan lived Ahmed the cobbler, an honest and -industrious man, whose wish was to pass through life quietly; and he -might have done so, had he not married a handsome wife, who, although -she had condescended to accept of him as a husband, was far from being -contented with his humble sphere of life. - -"Sittara, such was the name of Ahmed's wife, was ever forming foolish -schemes of riches and grandeur: and though Ahmed never encouraged them, -he was too fond a husband to quarrel with what gave her pleasure: an -incredulous smile or a shake of the head, was his only answer to her -often-told daydreams; and she continued to persuade herself, that she -was certainly destined to great fortune. - -"It happened one evening, while in this temper of mind, that she went -to the Hemmam, where she saw a lady retiring dressed in a magnificent -robe, covered with jewels, and surrounded by slaves. This was the very -condition Sittara had always longed for, and she eagerly inquired the -name of the happy person, who had so many attendants and such fine -jewels. She learned it was the wife of the chief astrologer to the -king. With this information she returned home. Her husband met her at -the door, but was received with a frown; nor could all his caresses -obtain a smile or a word; for several hours she continued silent, and -in apparent misery; at length she said: - -"'Cease your caresses; unless you are ready to give me a proof that you -do really and sincerely love me.' - -"'What proof of love,' exclaimed poor Ahmed, 'can you desire, which I -will not give?' - -"'Give over cobbling; it is a vile, low trade, and never yields more -than ten or twelve dinars a day. Turn astrologer! your fortune will be -made, and I shall have all I wish, and be happy.' - -"'Astrologer!' cried Ahmed, 'astrologer! Have you forgotten who I -am--a cobbler, without any learning--that you want me to engage in a -profession which requires so much skill and knowledge?' - -"'I neither think nor care about your qualifications,' said the enraged -wife: 'all I know is, that if you do not turn astrologer immediately, -I will be divorced from you to-morrow.' - -"The cobbler remonstrated, but in vain. The figure of the astrologer's -wife, with her jewels and her slaves, had taken complete possession of -Sittara's imagination. All night it haunted her; she dreamt of nothing -else, and on awaking declared she would leave the house, if her husband -did not comply with her wishes. What could poor Ahmed do? He was no -astrologer, but he was dotingly fond of his wife, and he could not -bear the idea of losing her. He promised to obey; and having sold his -little stock, bought an astrolabe, an astronomical almanac, and a table -of the twelve signs of the zodiac. Furnished with these he went to the -market-place, crying 'I am an astrologer! I know the sun, and the moon, -and the stars, and the twelve signs of the zodiac; I can calculate -nativities; I can foretel every thing that is to happen!' - -"No man was better known than Ahmed the cobbler. A crowd soon gathered -round him. 'What, friend Ahmed,' said one, 'have you worked till -your head is turned?' 'Are you tired of looking down at your last,' -cried another, 'that you are now looking up at the planets?' These -and a thousand other jokes assailed the ears of the poor cobbler, who -notwithstanding continued to exclaim that he was an astrologer, having -resolved on doing what he could to please his beautiful wife. - -"It so happened that the king's jeweller was passing by. He was in -great distress, having lost the richest ruby belonging to the crown. -Every search had been made to recover this inestimable jewel, but to -no purpose; and as the jeweller knew he could no longer conceal its -loss from the king, he looked forward to death as inevitable. In this -hopeless state, while wandering about the town, he reached the crowd -around Ahmed, and asked what was the matter. 'Don't you know Ahmed the -cobbler?' said one of the bystanders, laughing; 'he has been inspired, -and is become an astrologer.' - -"A drowning man will catch at a broken reed: the jeweller no sooner -heard the sound of the word astrologer, than he went up to Ahmed, told -him what had happened, and said, 'If you understand your art, you must -be able to discover the king's ruby. Do so, and I will give you two -hundred pieces of gold. But if you do not succeed within six hours, -I will use all my influence at court to have you put to death as an -impostor.' - -"Poor Ahmed was thunderstruck. He stood long without being able to -move or speak, reflecting on his misfortunes and grieving, above all, -that his wife, whom he so loved, had, by her envy and selfishness, -brought him to such a fearful alternative. Full of these sad thoughts, -he exclaimed aloud, 'Oh woman, woman! thou art more baneful to the -happiness of man than the poisonous dragon of the desert!' - -"The lost ruby had been secreted by the jeweller's wife, who, -disquieted by those alarms which ever attend guilt, sent one of her -female slaves to watch her husband. This slave, on seeing her master -speak to the astrologer, drew near; and when she heard Ahmed, after -some moments of apparent abstraction, compare a woman to a poisonous -dragon, she was satisfied that he must know every thing. She ran to -her mistress, and, breathless with fear, cried, 'You are discovered, -my dear mistress, you are discovered by a vile astrologer. Before six -hours are past the whole story will be known, and you will become -infamous, if you are even so fortunate as to escape with life, unless -you can find some way of prevailing on him to be merciful.' She then -related what she had seen and heard; and Ahmed's exclamation carried -as complete conviction to the mind of the terrified mistress as it had -done to that of her slave. - -"The jeweller's wife, hastily throwing on her veil, went in search -of the dreaded astrologer. When she found him, she threw herself at -his feet, crying, 'Spare my honour and my life, and I will confess -everything!' - -"'What can you have to confess to me?' exclaimed Ahmed, in amazement. - -"'Oh nothing! nothing with which you are not already acquainted. You -know too well that I stole the ruby from the king's crown. I did so -to punish my husband, who uses me most cruelly; and I thought by this -means to obtain riches for myself, and to have him put to death. But -you, most wonderful man, from whom nothing is hidden, have discovered -and defeated my wicked plan. I beg only for mercy, and will do whatever -you command me.' - -"An angel from heaven could not have brought more consolation to Ahmed -than did the jeweller's wife. He assumed all the dignified solemnity -that became his new character, and said, 'Woman! I know all thou hast -done, and it is fortunate for thee that thou hast come to confess thy -sin, and beg for mercy before it was too late. Return to thy house, put -the ruby under the pillow of the couch on which thy husband sleeps; let -it be laid on the side farthest from the door; and be satisfied thy -guilt shall never be even suspected.' - -"The jeweller's wife returned home, and did as she was desired. In -an hour Ahmed followed her, and told the jeweller he had made his -calculations, and found by the aspect of the sun and moon, and by the -configuration of the stars, that the ruby was at that moment lying -under the pillow of his couch, on the side farthest from the door. The -jeweller thought Ahmed must be crazy: but as a ray of hope is like a -ray from heaven to the wretched, he ran to his couch, and there, to -his joy and wonder, found the ruby in the very place described. He -came back to Ahmed, embraced him, called him his dearest friend and -the preserver of his life, gave him the two hundred pieces of gold, -declaring that he was the first astrologer of the age. - -"These praises conveyed no joy to the poor cobbler, who returned home -more thankful to God for his preservation than elated by his good -fortune. The moment he entered the door, his wife ran up to him, and -exclaimed, 'Well, my dear astrologer! what success?' - -"'There!' said Ahmed, very gravely, 'there are two hundred pieces of -gold: I hope you will be satisfied now, and not ask me again to hazard -my life, as I have done this morning.' He then related all that had -passed. But the recital made a very different impression on the lady -from what these occurrences had made on Ahmed. Sittara saw nothing but -the gold, which would enable her to vie with the chief astrologer's -wife at the Hemmam. 'Courage!' she said, 'courage! my dearest husband. -This is only your first labour in your new and noble profession. Go on, -and prosper; and we shall become rich and happy.' - -"In vain Ahmed remonstrated, and represented the danger; she burst into -tears, and accused him of not loving her, ending with her usual threat -of insisting upon a divorce. - -"Ahmed's heart melted, and he agreed to make another trial. -Accordingly, next morning he sallied forth with his astrolabe, his -twelve signs of the zodiac, and his almanac exclaiming, as before, 'I -am an astrologer! I know the sun, and the moon, and the stars, and the -twelve signs of the zodiac; I can calculate nativities; I can foretel -everything that is to happen!' A crowd again gathered round him, but -it was now with wonder, and not ridicule; for the story of the ruby -had gone abroad, and the voice of fame had converted the poor cobbler -Ahmed into the ablest and most learned astrologer that was ever seen at -Isfahan. - -"While everybody was gazing at him, a lady passed by veiled. She -was the wife of one of the richest merchants in the city, and had -just been at the Hemmam, where she had lost a valuable necklace and -earrings. She was now returning home in great alarm, lest her husband -should suspect her of having given her jewels to a lover. Seeing the -crowd around Ahmed, she asked the reason of their assembling, and -was informed of the whole story of the famous astrologer: how he had -been a cobbler, was inspired with supernatural knowledge, and could, -with the help of his astrolabe, his twelve signs of the zodiac, and -his almanac, discover all that ever had, or ever would happen in the -world. The story of the jeweller and the king's ruby was then told -her, accompanied by a thousand wonderful circumstances which had never -occurred. The lady, quite satisfied of his skill, went up to Ahmed, and -mentioned her loss; saying, 'A man of your knowledge and penetration -will easily discover my jewels: find them, and I will give you fifty -pieces of gold.' - -"The poor cobbler was quite confounded, and looked down, thinking only -how to escape without a public exposure of his ignorance. The lady, -in pressing through the crowd, had torn the lower part of her veil. -Ahmed's downcast eyes noticed this; and wishing to inform her of it in -a delicate manner, before it was observed by others, he whispered to -her, 'Lady, look down at the rent.' The lady's head was full of her -loss, and she was at that moment endeavouring to recollect how it could -have occurred. Ahmed's speech brought it at once to her mind, and she -exclaimed in delighted surprise, 'Stay here a few moments, thou great -astrologer. I will return immediately with the reward thou so well -deservest.' Saying this, she left him, and soon returned, carrying -in one hand the necklace and earrings, and in the other, a purse with -the fifty pieces of gold. 'There is gold for thee,' she said, 'thou -wonderful man! to whom all the secrets of nature are revealed. I had -quite forgotten where I laid the jewels, and without thee should never -have found them. But when thou desiredst me to look at the rent below, -I instantly recollected the rent near the bottom of the wall in the -bath-room, where, before undressing, I had hid them. I can now go home -in peace and comfort; and it is all owing to thee, thou wisest of men!' - -"After these words she walked away, and Ahmed returned to his home, -thankful to Providence for his preservation, and fully resolved never -again to tempt it. His handsome wife, however, could not yet rival -the chief astrologer's lady in her appearance at the Hemmam, so she -renewed her entreaties and threats, to make her fond husband continue -his career as an astrologer. - -"About this time it happened that the king's treasury was robbed of -forty chests of gold and jewels, forming the greater part of the wealth -of the kingdom. The high treasurer and other officers of state used -all diligence to find the thieves, but in vain. The king sent for his -astrologer, and declared, that if the robbers were not detected by a -stated time, he, as well as the principal ministers, should be put to -death. Only one day of the short period given them remained. All their -search had proved fruitless, and the chief astrologer, who had made his -calculations and exhausted his art to no purpose, had quite resigned -himself to his fate, when one of his friends advised him to send for -the wonderful cobbler, who had become so famous for his extraordinary -discoveries. Two slaves were immediately dispatched for Ahmed, whom -they commanded to go with them to their master. 'You see the effects -of your ambition,' said the poor cobbler to his wife; 'I am going to -my death. The king's astrologer has heard of my presumption, and is -determined to have me executed as an impostor.' - -"On entering the palace of the chief astrologer, he was surprised -to see that dignified person come forward to receive him, and lead -him to the seat of honour, and not less so to hear himself thus -addressed: 'The ways of heaven, most learned and excellent Ahmed, are -unsearchable. The high are often cast down and the low are lifted up. -The whole world depends upon fate and fortune. It is my turn now to be -depressed by fate; it is thine to be exalted by fortune.' - -"His speech was here interrupted by a messenger from the king, who, -having heard of the cobbler's fame, desired his attendance. Poor Ahmed -now concluded that it was all over with him, and followed the king's -messenger, praying to God that he would deliver him from this peril. -When he came into the king's presence, he bent his body to the ground, -and wished his majesty long life and prosperity. 'Tell me, Ahmed,' said -the king, 'who has stolen my treasure?' - -"'It was not one man,' answered Ahmed, after some consideration; 'there -were forty thieves concerned in the robbery.' - -"'Very well,' said the king: 'but who were they? and what have they -done with my gold and jewels?' - -"'These questions,' said Ahmed, 'I cannot now answer; but I hope to -satisfy your majesty, if you will grant me forty days to make my -calculations.' - -"'I grant you forty days,' said the king; 'but when they are past, if -my treasure is not found, your life shall pay the forfeit.' - -"Ahmed returned to his house well pleased; for he resolved to take -advantage of the time allowed him to fly from a city where his fame was -likely to be his ruin. 'Well, Ahmed,' said his wife, as he entered, -'what news at court?' - -"'No news at all,' said he, 'except that I am to be put to death at the -end of forty days, unless I find forty chests of gold and jewels, which -have been stolen from the royal treasury.' - -"'But you will discover the thieves.' - -"'How? by what means am I to find them?' - -"'By the same art which discovered the ruby and the lady's necklace.' - -"'The same art!' replied Ahmed. 'Foolish woman! thou knowest that I -have no art, and that I have only pretended to it for the sake of -pleasing thee. But I have had sufficient skill to gain forty days, -during which time we may easily escape to some other city, and, with -the money I now possess, and the aid of my former occupation, we may -still obtain an honest livelihood.' - -"'An honest livelihood!' repeated his lady, with scorn. 'Will thy -cobbling, thou mean, spiritless wretch! ever enable me to go to the -Hemman like the wife of the chief astrologer? Hear me, Ahmed! Think -only of discovering the king's treasure. Thou hast just as good a -chance of doing so as thou hadst of finding the ruby, and the necklace -and earrings. At all events, I am determined thou shalt not escape; and -shouldst thou attempt to run away, I will inform the king's officers, -and have thee taken up and put to death, even before the forty days are -expired. Thou knowest me too well, Ahmed, to doubt my keeping my word. -So take courage, and endeavour to make thy fortune, and to place me in -that rank of life to which my beauty entitles me.' - -"The poor cobbler was dismayed at this speech; but knowing there was -no hope of changing his wife's resolution, he resigned himself to his -fate. 'Well,' said he, 'your will shall be obeyed. All I desire is to -pass the few remaining days of my life as comfortably as I can. You -know I am no scholar, and have little skill in reckoning; so there -are forty dates: give me one of them every night after I have said -my prayers, that I may put them in a jar, and, by counting them, may -always see how many of the few days I have to live are gone.' - -"The lady pleased, at carrying her point, took the dates, and promised -to be punctual in doing what her husband desired. - -"Meanwhile the thieves who had stolen the king's treasure, having -been kept from leaving the city by fear of detection and pursuit, had -received accurate information of every measure taken to discover them. -One of them was among the crowd before the palace on the day the king -sent for Ahmed; and hearing that the cobbler had immediately declared -their exact number, he ran in a fright to his comrades, and exclaimed, -'We are all found out! Ahmed, the new astrologer, has told the king -that there are forty of us.' - -"'There needed no astrologer to tell that,' said the captain of the -gang. 'This Ahmed, with all his simple good-nature, is a shrewd fellow. -Forty chests having been stolen, he naturally guessed that there -must be forty thieves; and he has made a good hit, that is all: still -it is prudent to watch him; for he certainly has made some strange -discoveries. One of us must go to-night, after dark, to the terrace of -this cobbler's house, and listen to his conversation with his handsome -wife; for he is said to be very fond of her, and will, no doubt, tell -her what success he has had in his endeavours to detect us.' - -"Every body approved of this scheme; and soon after nightfall one of -the thieves repaired to the terrace. He arrived there just as the -cobbler had finished his evening prayers, and his wife was giving him -the first date. 'Ah,' said Ahmed, as he took it, 'there is one of the -forty.' - -"The thief, hearing these words, hastened, in consternation, to the -gang, and told them that the moment he took his post he had been -perceived by the supernatural knowledge of Ahmed, who immediately told -his wife that one of them was there. The spy's tale was not believed -by his hardened companions; something was imputed to his fears; he -might have been mistaken; in short, it was determined to send two men -the next night at the same hour. They reached the house just as Ahmed, -having finished his prayers, had received the second date, and heard -him exclaim, 'My dear wife, to-night there are two of them!' - -"The astonished thieves fled, and told their still incredulous comrades -what they had heard. Three men were consequently sent the third night, -four the fourth, and so on. Being afraid of venturing during the day, -they always came as evening closed in, and just as Ahmed was receiving -his date: hence they all in turn heard him say that which convinced -them he was aware of their presence. On the last night they all went, -and Ahmed exclaimed aloud, 'The number is complete! To-night the whole -forty are here!' - -"All doubts were now removed. It was impossible that Ahmed should have -discovered them by any natural means. How could he ascertain their -exact number? and night after night, without ever once being mistaken? -He must have learnt it by his skill in astrology. Even the captain now -yielded, in spite of his incredulity, and declared his opinion that it -was hopeless to elude a man thus gifted; he therefore advised that -they should make a friend of the cobbler, by confessing every thing to -him, and bribing him to secrecy by a share of the booty. - -"His advice was approved of; and an hour before dawn they knocked -at Ahmed's door. The poor man jumped out of bed, and, supposing the -soldiers were come to lead him to execution, cried out, 'Have patience! -I know what you are come for. It is a very unjust and wicked deed.' - -"'Most wonderful man!' said the captain, as the door was opened, 'we -are fully convinced that thou knowest why we are come, nor do we mean -to justify the action of which thou speakest. Here are two thousand -pieces of gold, which we will give thee, provided thou wilt swear to -say nothing more about the matter.' - -"'Say nothing about it!' said Ahmed. 'Do you think it possible I can -suffer such gross wrong and injustice without complaining, and making -it known to all the world?' - -"'Have mercy upon us!' exclaimed the thieves, falling on their knees; -'only spare our lives, and we will restore the royal treasure.' - -"The cobbler started, rubbed his eyes to see if he were asleep or -awake; and being satisfied that he was awake, and that the men -before him were really the thieves, he assumed a solemn tone, and -said--'Guilty men! ye are persuaded that ye cannot escape from -my penetration, which reaches unto the sun and moon, and knows -the position and aspect of every star in the heavens. Your timely -repentance has saved you. But ye must immediately restore all that ye -have stolen. Go straightway, and carry the forty chests exactly as ye -found them, and bury them a foot deep under the southern wall of the -old ruined Hemmam, beyond the king's palace. If ye do this punctually, -your lives are spared; but if ye fail in the slightest degree, -destruction will fall upon you and your families.' - -"The thieves promised obedience to his commands, and departed. Ahmed -then fell on his knees, and returned thanks to God for this signal -mark of his favour. About two hours after the royal guards came, and -desired Ahmed to follow them. He said he would attend them as soon as -he had taken leave of his wife, to whom he determined not to impart -what had occurred until he saw the result. He bade her farewell very -affectionately; she supported herself with great fortitude on this -trying occasion, exhorting her husband to be of good cheer, and said a -few words about the goodness of Providence. But the fact was, Sittara -fancied, that if God took the worthy cobbler to himself, her beauty -might attract some rich lover, who would enable her to go to the Hemmam -with as much splendour as the astrologer's lady, whose image, adorned -with jewels and fine clothes, and surrounded by slaves, still haunted -her imagination. - -"The decrees of Heaven are just: a reward suited to their merits -awaited Ahmed and his wife. The good man stood with a cheerful -countenance before the king, who was impatient for his arrival, and -immediately said, 'Ahmed, thy looks are promising; hast thou discovered -my treasure?' - -"'Does your majesty require the thieves or the treasure? The stars -will only grant one or the other,' said Ahmed, looking at his table of -astrological calculations. 'Your majesty must make your choice. I can -deliver up either, but not both.' - -"'I should be sorry not to punish the thieves,' answered the king; 'but -if it must be so, I choose the treasure.' - -"'And you give the thieves a full and free pardon?' - -"'I do, provided I find my treasure untouched.' - -"'Then,' said Ahmed, 'if your majesty will follow me, the treasure -shall be restored to you.' - -"The king and all his nobles followed the cobbler to the ruins of the -old Hemmam. There, casting his eyes towards Heaven, Ahmed muttered -some sounds, which were supposed by the spectators to be magical -conjurations, but which were in reality the prayers and thanksgivings -of a sincere and pious heart to God, for his wonderful deliverance. -When his prayer was finished, he pointed to the southern wall, and -requested that his majesty would order his attendants to dig there. The -work was hardly begun, when the whole forty chests were found in the -same state as when stolen, with the treasurer's seal upon them still -unbroken. - -"The king's joy knew no bounds: he embraced Ahmed, and immediately -appointed him his chief astrologer, assigned to him an apartment in -the palace, and declared that he should marry his only daughter,[159] -as it was his duty to promote the man whom God had so singularly -favoured, and had made instrumental in restoring the treasures of his -kingdom. The young princess, who was more beautiful than the moon, was -not dissatisfied with her father's choice; for her mind was stored with -religion and virtue, and she had learnt to value beyond all earthly -qualities that piety and learning which she believed Ahmed to possess. -The royal will was carried into execution as soon as formed. The wheel -of fortune had taken a complete turn. The morning had found Ahmed -in a wretched hovel, rising from a sorry bed, in the expectation of -losing his life: in the evening he was the lord of a rich palace, and -married to the only daughter of a powerful king. But this change did -not alter his character. As he had been meek and humble in adversity, -he was modest and gentle in prosperity. Conscious of his own ignorance, -he continued to ascribe his good fortune solely to the favour of -Providence. He became daily more attached to the beautiful and virtuous -princess whom he had married; and he could not help contrasting her -character with that of his former wife, whom he had ceased to love, and -of whose unreasonable and unfeeling vanity he was now fully sensible. - -"As Ahmed did not return to his house, Sittara only heard of his -elevation from common rumour. She saw with despair that her wishes -for his advancement had been more than accomplished, but that all -her own desires had been entirely frustrated. Her husband was chief -astrologer--the very situation she had set her heart on; he was rich -enough to enable his wife to surpass all the ladies of Isfahan, in -the number of her slaves, and the finery of her clothes and jewels, -whenever she went to the Hemmam: but he had married a princess; and -his former wife, according to custom, was banished from his house, -and condemned to live on whatever pittance she might receive from a -man whose love and esteem she had for ever forfeited. These thoughts -distracted her mind: her envy was excited by the accounts she daily -heard of Ahmed's happiness, and of the beauty of the princess; and she -now became anxious only for his destruction, looking on him as the sole -cause of her disappointment. - -"An opportunity of indulging her revengeful feelings was not long -wanting. The king of Seestan had sent an emerald of extraordinary size -and brilliancy as a present to the king of Irak. It was carefully -enclosed in a box, to which there were three keys, and one of them was -given in charge to each of the three confidential servants employed -to convey it. When they reached Isfahan, the box was opened, but the -emerald was gone. Nothing could exceed their consternation; each -accused the other: as the lock was not broken, it was evident one of -them must be the thief. They consulted what was to be done; to conceal -what had happened was impossible; the very attempt would have brought -death on them all. It was resolved, therefore, to lay the whole matter -before the king, and beg that by his great wisdom he would detect the -culprit, and that he would show mercy to the other two. - -"The king heard the story with astonishment, but was unable to find any -clue by which he might ascertain the truth. He summoned his vizier and -all the wisest men of his court; but they were as much at a loss as -their master. The report spread through the city; and Sittara thought -she had now the means of working her husband's ruin. She solicited a -private audience of his majesty, on the plea of having a communication -of importance to make. Her request was granted. On entering the royal -presence she threw herself at his feet, exclaiming, 'Pardon, O king! -my having so long concealed the guilt of my husband Ahmed, whose -alliance is a disgrace to the royal blood. He is no astrologer, but an -associate of thieves, and by that means alone did he discover the royal -treasure. If any doubts are entertained of my speaking the truth, let -his majesty command Ahmed to recover the emerald which the servants of -the king of Seestan have stolen. Surely the man who by his wonderful -art ascertained where all the treasure of the kingdom was concealed, -will find it an easy matter to discover a single precious stone.' - -"The king, who loved his son-in-law, was grieved by this information. -Still, as the honour of his family was concerned, he resolved to put -Ahmed to the test; and, if he found him an impostor, to vindicate the -royal dignity by his condign punishment. He therefore sent for Ahmed, -told him what had happened, and added, 'I give you twenty days to -discover who stole the emerald. If you succeed, you shall be raised to -the highest honours of the state. If not, you shall suffer death for -having deceived me.' - -"Poor Ahmed quitted the presence quite disconsolate. The princess, -perceiving his affliction, inquired the cause. Ahmed was by nature as -sincere as he was pious and humble. He related, without concealment -or disguise, every event of his past life; and concluded with these -words: 'You must see, from what I have said, how incapable I am of -doing what your father enjoins. My life must answer for it; and my -only consolation is, that I shall, in twenty days, relieve you from a -husband, whom from this time you must despise.' - -"'I only love you the better, my dear Ahmed, for your sincerity and -truth,' said the princess. 'One, who has been so favoured by Heaven, -must be dear to every pious heart. Be of good cheer; I will turn -astrologer this time, and see whether I can find out the thief. All -I require is, that you endeavour to be composed, while I consult the -stars and make my calculations.' - -"Ahmed, delighted with this proof of affection, and reassured of the -confidence of her manner, promised to be obedient; and said he would -only venture to assist her exertions by his earnest prayers to that -Power which had never deserted him. - -"The princess immediately invited the messengers from the king of -Seestan to her palace. They were surprised at the invitation, and still -more at their reception. 'You are strangers,' she said to them, 'and -come from a powerful king: it is my wish to show you every attention. -As to the lost emerald, think no more of it; it is a mere trifle. I -will intercede with the king, my father, to give himself no further -concern on the subject, being convinced that it has been lost by one of -those strange accidents for which it is impossible to account.' - -"The princess entertained the strangers for several days, and during -that time the emerald seemed to be forgotten. She conversed with -them freely, inquiring particularly of Seestan, and the countries -they had seen on their travels. Flattered by her condescension, they -became confident of their safety; and were delighted with their royal -patroness. The princess, seeing them completely off their guard, turned -the conversation one evening on wonderful occurrences; and after each -had related his story, said, 'I will now recount to you some events of -my own life, which you will, I think, deem more extraordinary than any -you have ever heard. - -"'I am my father's only child, and have therefore been a favourite from -my birth. I was brought up in the belief that I could command whatever -this world can afford; and was taught that unbounded liberality is -the first and most princely of virtues. I early resolved to surpass -every former example of generosity. I thought my power of doing good, -and making every body happy, was as unlimited as my wish to do so; -and I could not conceive the existence of misery beyond my power to -relieve. When I was eighteen I was betrothed to my cousin, a young -prince, who excelled all others in beauty of person and nobleness of -mind; and I fancied myself at the summit of happiness. It chanced, -however, that on the morning of my nuptials I went to walk in a garden -near the palace, where I had been accustomed to spend some hours daily -from my childhood. The old gardener, with whose cheerfulness I had -often been amused, met me. Seeing him look very miserable, I asked him -what was the matter? He evaded a direct answer; but I insisted upon -his disclosing the cause of his grief, declaring at the same time my -determination to remove it. - -"''You cannot relieve me,' said the old man, with a deep sigh; 'it is -out of your power, my beloved princess, to heal the wound of which I am -dying.' - -"'My pride was roused, and I exclaimed, 'I swear--' - -"''Do not swear!' said the gardener, seizing my hand. - -"''I do swear!' I repeated, irritated by the opposition. 'I will stop -at nothing to make you happy; and I further swear, that I will not -leave this spot until you reveal the grief which preys upon you.' - -"'The old man, seeing my resolution, spake with tremulous emotion as -follows: 'Princess, you know not what you have done. Behold a man -who has dared for these two years to look upon you with an eye of -admiration; his love has at length reached such a pitch, that without -you he must be wretched for ever; and unless you consent to meet him -in the garden to-night, and become his bride instead of that of the -prince, he must die.' - -"'Shocked by this unforeseen declaration, and trembling at the thought -of my oath, I tried to reason with the old gardener, and offered him -all the wealth I possessed. 'I told you,' he replied, 'beautiful -princess, that you could not make me happy; I endeavoured to prevent -your rash vow; and nothing but that should have drawn from me the -secret of my heart. Death, I know, is my fate; for I cannot live and -see you the wife of another. Leave me to die. Go to your husband; go to -the enjoyment of your pomp and riches; but never again pretend to the -exercise of a power which depends upon a thousand circumstances that no -human being can regulate or control.' - -"'This speech conveyed a bitter reproach. I would have sacrificed my -life a hundred times, sooner than stain my honour by marrying this -man; but I had made a vow in the face of Heaven, and to break it -seemed sacrilege. Besides, I earnestly wished to die undeceived in my -favourite notion, that I could make all who came near me happy. Under -the struggle of these different feelings, I told the gardener his -desire should be granted, and that I would be in the garden an hour -before midnight. After this assurance I went away, resolved in my own -mind not to outlive the disgrace to which I had doomed myself. - -"'I passed the day in the deepest melancholy. A little before midnight -I contrived to dismiss my attendants, and, arrayed in my bridal -apparel, which was covered with the richest jewels, I went towards the -garden. I had not proceeded many yards, when I was met by a thief, -who, seizing me, said, 'Let me strip you, madam, of these unnecessary -ornaments: if you make the least noise, instant death awaits you.' In -my state of mind such threats frightened me little. I wished to die, -but I wished, before I died, to fulfil my vow. I told my story to the -thief, beseeching him to let me pass, and pledging my word to return, -that he might not be disappointed of his booty. After some hesitation, -he allowed me to proceed. - -"'I had not gone many steps, when I encountered a furious lion, which -had broken loose from my father's menagerie. Knowing the merciful -nature of this animal towards the weak and defenceless, I dropped on my -knees, repeated my story, and assured him, if he would let me fulfil my -vow, I would come back to him as ready to be destroyed as he could be -to make me his prey. The lion stepped aside, and I went into the garden. - -"'I found the old gardener all impatience for my arrival. He flew to -meet me, exclaiming I was an angel. I told him I was resigned to my -engagement, but had not long to live. He started, and asked what I -meant. I gave him an account of my meeting with the thief and the lion. -'Wretch that I am!' cried the gardener; 'how much misery have I caused! -but bad as I am, I am not worse than a thief, or a beast of prey; which -I should be, did I not absolve you from your vow, and assure you the -only way in which you can now make me happy, is by forgiving my wicked -presumption.' - -"'I was completely relieved by these words, and granted the -forgiveness desired; but having determined in spite of the gardener's -remonstrances, to keep my promises to the thief and the lion, I refused -to accept his protection. On leaving the garden, the lion met me. -'Noble lion,' I said, 'I am come, as I promised you.' I then related -to him how the gardener had absolved me from my vow, and I expressed a -hope that the king of beasts would not belie his renown for generosity. -The lion again stepped aside, and I proceeded to the thief, who was -still standing where I left him. I told him I was now in his power, but -that, before he stripped me, I must relate to him what had happened -since our last meeting. Having heard me, he turned away, saying, 'I am -not meaner than a poor gardener, nor more cruel than a hungry lion: I -will not injure what they have respected.' - -"'Delighted with my escapes, I returned to my father's palace, where -I was united to my cousin, with whom I lived happily till his death; -persuaded, however, that the power of human beings to do good is very -limited, and that when they leave the narrow path marked out for them -by their Maker, they not only lose their object, but often wander -far into error and guilt, by attempting more than it is possible to -perform.' - -"The princess paused, and was glad to see her guests so enchanted with -her story, that it had banished every other thought from their minds. -After a few moments she turned to one of them, and asked, 'Now which, -think you, showed the greatest virtue in his forbearance--the gardener, -the thief, or the lion?' - -"'The gardener assuredly,' was his answer; 'to abandon so lovely a -prize, when so nearly his own.' - -"'And what is your opinion?' said the princess to his neighbour. - -"'I think the lion was the most generous,' he replied; 'he must have -been very hungry, and in such a state it was great forbearance to -abstain from devouring so delicate a morsel.' - -"'You both seem to me to be quite wrong,' said the third, impatiently; -'the thief had by far the most merit. Gracious Heavens! to have within -his grasp such wealth, and to refrain from taking it! I could not have -believed it possible, unless the princess herself had assured us of the -fact.' - -"The princess now, assuming an air of dignity, said to the first who -spoke, 'You, I perceive, are an admirer of the ladies;' to the second, -'You are an epicure;' and then turning to the third, who was already -pale with fright, 'You, my friend, have the emerald in your possession. -You have betrayed yourself, and nothing but an immediate confession can -save your life.' - -"The guilty man's countenance removed all doubt; and when the princess -renewed her assurances of safety, he threw himself at her feet, -acknowledged his offence, and gave her the emerald, which he carried -concealed about him. The princess rose, went to her husband, and said, -'There, Ahmed, what do you think of the success of my calculations?' -She then related the whole circumstance, and bade him carry the jewel -to her father, adding, 'I trust he will feel a greater admiration than -ever for my husband, the wonderful astrologer!' - -"Ahmed took the emerald in silent astonishment, and went with it -to the king, of whom he requested a private audience. On its being -granted, he presented the emerald. The king, dazzled by its brilliancy -and size, loaded his son-in-law with the most extravagant praises, -extolling him as superior to any astrologer who had ever been seen in -the world. Poor Ahmed, conscious how little he deserved such praise, -threw himself at the king's feet, and begged that he might be allowed -to speak the truth, as he was readier to die than to continue imposing -on his majesty's goodness. 'You impose on me!' said the king, 'that is -impossible. Did you not recover my treasure? Have you not brought me -this emerald?' - -"'True, O king!' said Ahmed, 'I have done so, but without possessing -that science for which I have gained a reputation.' He then told his -history from first to last with perfect sincerity. The king showed -great displeasure while listening to his earlier adventures, but when -Ahmed related the story of the emerald, intermingling his tale with -fervent expressions of admiration for the wonderful wisdom and virtue -of the princess, he heard him with delight. After he had finished, the -king summoned his vizier and chief counsellors, and desired that his -daughter also might attend, and when they were all assembled, he spake -as follows; 'Daughter, I have learnt the history of thy husband from -his own lips. I have also heard much in confirmation of the belief I -have long entertained, that thy knowledge and goodness are even greater -than thy beauty. They prove that thou wert born to rule; and I only -obey the will of Heaven, and consult the happiness of my people, when -I resign my power into thy hands, being resolved to seek that repose -which my declining years require. As to thy husband, thou wilt dispose -of him as it pleases thee. His birth, I always knew, was low, but I -thought that his wisdom and learning raised him to a level with the -highest rank; these, it now appears, he does not possess. If thou -deemest his alliance a disgrace, divorce him. If, on the other hand, -thou art willing to keep him as thy husband, do so, and give him such -share as thou thinkest fit in the authority which I now commit to thee.' - -"The princess knelt to kiss her father's hand, and answered, 'May my -father's life and reign be prolonged for his daughter's happiness, -and for that of his subjects! I am a weak woman, altogether unequal -to the task which his too fond love would impose on me. If my humble -counsel is listened to, my father will continue to govern his people, -whose gratitude and veneration will make obedience light, and rule -easy. As to Ahmed, I love and esteem him; he is sensible, sincere, and -pious, and I deem myself fortunate in having for my husband a man so -peculiarly favoured and protected by Heaven. What, my dear father, are -high rank or brilliant talents without religion and virtue? They are -as plants which bear gaudy blossoms, but yield no fruit.' - -"The king was delighted with his daughter's wisdom and affection. 'Your -advice,' he said, 'my beloved daughter, shall be followed. I will -continue to govern my kingdom, while you and Ahmed shall assist me with -your counsels.' - -"The good cobbler was soon afterwards nominated vizier; and the same -virtue and piety, which had obtained him respect in the humblest sphere -of life, caused him to be loved and esteemed in the high station to -which he was elevated. - -"The designs of Sittara were discovered, but her guilt was pardoned. -She was left with a mere subsistence, a prey to disappointment; for -she continued to the last to sigh for that splendour she had seen -displayed by the chief astrologer's wife at the Hemmam; thereby -affording a salutary lesson to those who admit envy into their bosoms, -and endeavour to attain their ends by unreasonable and unjustifiable -means." - -FOOTNOTES: - -[158] This occurrence was told the Elchee by Hajee Ibrahim in 1800, -scarcely four years after the event to which it referred. Vide Hist. -Persia, vol. ii. p. 297. - -[159] It is very common in the East for the daughters of monarchs to be -married to men eminent for piety or learning, however low their origin. - - - - -CHAPTER XXI. - - Maraga--Naser-ood-Deen--Persian Servants--Jaghatty - River--Kurdistan--Robbery--Arrival at Sennah--Ardelan--Conclusion. - - -Maraga, where we halted some days, is a beautiful town, famous in -eastern history as the place where Hoolakoo, the grandson of Chenghiz, -relaxed from his warlike toils, and assembled round him men of the -first genius of the age; who have commemorated his love of science, and -given him more fame as its munificent patron than he acquired by all -his conquests. Amongst these was Naser-ood-Deen, who, in the thirteenth -century formed his celebrated astronomical tables. - -We approached our encampment by a range of low hills, the top of which -had been levelled to aid Naser-ood-Deen, and other astronomers, in -making their observations. We traced distinctly the foundations of the -observatory, which had been constructed for the favourite philosopher -of the Tartar prince. In this observatory there was, according to one -of the best Mahomedan works,[160] a species of apparatus to represent -the celestial sphere, with the signs of the zodiac, the conjunctions, -transits, and revolutions of the heavenly bodies. Through a perforation -in the dome, the rays of the sun were admitted, so as to strike upon -certain lines on the pavement in a way to indicate, in degrees and -minutes, the altitude and declination of that luminary during every -season, and to mark the time and hour of the day throughout the year. -It was further supplied with a map of the terrestrial globe, in all -its climates or zones, exhibiting the several regions of the habitable -world, as well as a general outline of the ocean, with the numerous -islands contained in its bosom; and, according to the Mahomedan author, -all these were so perspicuously arranged and delineated, as at once to -remove, by the clearest demonstration, every doubt from the mind of the -student! - -After contemplating for some time what remained of a work, which had -been dedicated to celestial objects, amidst scenes of rapine and -bloodshed, we were reminded that we had terrestrial occupations to -attend to, being called to breakfast at our tents. These were pitched -on the green banks of the river that flows past Maraga, and over which -are two admirable bridges of six elliptical arches each, built by the -present governor, Ahmed Khan, a nobleman of high rank and influence. - -On approaching the tents we were met by fishermen with some trout -carried on willow branches, which were passed through their gills, -exactly in the same manner as is customary in Scotland. Those of our -mission, and amongst them the Elchee, who belonged to that country, -loudly expressed their delight with the willows, the fish, and the -clear stream from which they were taken. We had the trout fried -for breakfast; and during that meal, Persia, its kings, princes, -astronomers, armies--all were forgotten, and nothing was talked of but -the Esk, the Ewis, the Liddle, and the Teviot; important rivers no -doubt to the natives of Eskdale, Ewisdale, Liddisdale, and Teviotdale, -but probably as little known to many of my English readers, as to the -inhabitants of Aderbejan. - -I visited a small tomb whilst at Maraga, in which, according to common -report, the remains of Hoolakoo are interred, as also those of his -Christian queen Delghooz Khatoon. To this lady, even Mahomedan writers -ascribe some of the most munificent actions of her Moghul lord, who -was attached to her in a very extraordinary degree. She is reputed to -have been a great proficient in science, and to have honoured with her -peculiar patronage and favour the celebrated Naser-ood-Deen, of whom I -have already spoken. The reputation of this great man had nearly proved -his ruin. A young chief, of a gloomy disposition, belonging to the -dreaded sect of Hoosein, who dwelt in the north-western mountains of -Persia, having heard of his fame, and thinking to profit by his wisdom, -commanded that he should be brought to his presence. The mandate was -instantly obeyed; for his followers gave a devoted obedience to their -chief, being fanatics of the same sect as the subjects of the Old Man -of the Mountain,[161] whose history is familiar to all readers of the -wars of the crusades. - -A few men were sent in disguise to Bokhara, and Naser-ood-Deen was -seized and carried off while walking in his garden. He was made over -from one party to another, till he found himself at the "Eagle's -Nest:" so the residence of the young prince, on the top of a high -mountain, was called. His value, we are told, was fully appreciated -at this barbarous court. While, however, they honoured him with every -attention, they took precautions to prevent all possibility of escape. -It was during this confinement that he wrote the celebrated treatise on -ethics,[162] which has raised his fame as high for philosophy as for -astronomy. - -The desire of liberating a genius of whom his country was justly proud, -was, we are told, one of the principal motives which led Hoolakoo to -attack and destroy this abode of dreaded assassins;[163] and when -their boasted Eagle's Nest was taken, the emperor rejoiced less in its -capture, than in having released Naser-ood-Deen, who was immediately -invested with a dress of honour, and promoted to high employment. But -it was to the favour and patronage of the Christian princess Delghooz -Khatoon, that this philosopher owed the opportunities he enjoyed at -Maraga, of making his name coeval with that of oriental science. - -No less than five of my friends, who had been long absent on their -travels, joined us at Maraga. Four of them I could hardly recognize, -being dressed in Persian clothes, and having large whiskers and long -beards. They told us wondrous tales of Seestan, Balochistan, Hamadan, -and other countries in which they had been. We were now a party of -fourteen, but we did not remain long together: some were detached to -drill Persian soldiers, while others were sent to survey and report -upon the soil and population of different districts of this once famous -kingdom. - -The Elchee had returned from his first mission by the route of -Hamadan: he now determined to go to Bagdad by that of Kurdistan, -the ancient Carduchia, a province to which the sword and the pen -of Xenophon have given celebrity. I was delighted at the prospect -of visiting this country, which I found, by a Persian History[164] -belonging to the Elchee, had a particular claim to the attention of -the Christian world. It was the birthplace of the famous Saladin,[165] -whose sword arrested the progress of the conquerors of Palestine. - -According to my author, Shadi Ben Mirvan, a native of Kurdistan, was -kutwal or magistrate of Tekreet.[166] In this office he was succeeded -by his eldest son, Nizam-ood-Deen Ayoob, who was compelled to leave -the country in consequence of his younger brother, Assad-ood-Deen, -having, in defence of an injured female, killed a man of a powerful -family. The governor of the province is said to have admired the -spirit and humanity which prompted this deed; but being unable to -protect the brothers against the relations of the deceased, he -recommended and aided their flight. They went first to Moosul,[167] -and thence to Balbec, the prince of which, Noor-ood-Deen, was an -intimate ally of Azad Ismael, the Waly of Egypt, who was then warring, -according to the Mahomedan writer, against the accursed infidels of -Europe! Noor-ood-Deen, pleased with the bold, manly character of -Assad-ood-Deen, sent him in command of his forces to Egypt; where, our -Eastern author tells us, he rose so high in the favour of the Waly, -that he employed him to put to death his vizier, and rewarded him -with the vacant office! He died soon after,[168] and his high station -devolved upon his nephew Saladin, son of Nizam-ood-Deen Ayoob. - -The young Saladin is described by this author in glowing colours. His -qualities were of the highest order; even in youth he soon outstript -all competitors. He became the sole manager of affairs in Egypt under -the title of Mallik Nasser: he wrote to the prince of Balbec to permit -his father to join him, and on the twenty-fourth day of Rejib, in -the year of the Hegira 565, the old man, who a few years before had -considered himself and his family ruined, on being compelled to abandon -the office of a petty magistrate, was met and welcomed at some distance -from his son's palace by the Waly of Egypt; for that prince thought he -could not too highly honour the parent of the man, to whom he ascribed -the safety and glory of his country. - -Saladin wished to make over his station to his father; but the latter -declined the offer, and continued, during the three years he lived, -without any public employment. The Waly of Egypt having died, Saladin, -already in possession of the power, succeeded to the name of sovereign -of that kingdom. The riches of which he became possessed are minutely -described by the Persian author. Amongst them was a staff of emeralds -of extraordinary value, and a library of one hundred thousand select -volumes. - -Noor-ood-Deen, the prince of Balbec, who had raised this family, -becoming jealous of Saladin's power, endeavoured to destroy him; but -all his efforts were defeated, and at his death Syria was added to -Egypt. - -Thus originated the power of the celebrated Saladin. His recovery -of Jerusalem, the siege of Ascalon, and his wars with those who are -termed infidels, are given at great length, and the boldest of the -Christian heroes are often represented as flying before his victorious -sword. I looked through this volume, for an account of the wonderful -achievements of our gallant Richard, and some mention of his fair -sister Matilda; but I looked in vain, and the omission produced no -favourable impression of an author who could pass over subjects so dear -to every English reader of the wars of Palestine. - -The day before we left Maraga, our muleteers mutinied. They refused -to proceed through Kurdistan, alleging that the inhabitants were all -robbers and murderers, and delighted in nothing more than plundering -and putting to death Persians, from whom most of the tribes of that -rugged country differ as much in habits as in religion, being half -savages and of the sect of Soonees. The Elchee was only able to quiet -them by promising to replace any mules which might be stolen, and to -defend them if attacked. - -The temper of the Elchee, which had been ruffled by this occurrence, -was still more so by the conduct of one of his principal servants, -Feridoon Beg, who, besides receiving handsome pay, bore a gold stick, -and took precedence of all the state servants on occasions of ceremony. -This man having been sent with two hundred piastres to the servants of -the chief of Maraga, kept back twenty. Being detected, his only defence -was, that the fellows had cheated him and others, by intercepting part -of a present from their master to the domestics of the Elchee. - -The excuse was not admitted. Feridoon was degraded, and being a -favourite, had little sympathy. One of his companions, approving of -the indignation his conduct had excited, said, "What a mean rascal! -to behave as he has done; and all for twenty piastres!" This speech -increased the Elchee's passion, who reprobated the man for looking at -the amount of the sum taken, not at the immorality of the action. "You, -no doubt," said he, "when you begin, will be a rogue on a large scale." -He proceeded in his anger from individuals to communities, and finished -by declaring, that there was neither truth nor honesty to be found in -Persia. - -This was so much the general impression, that we were delighted to find -the Elchee's eyes at length opened; but in the evening, when some of us -expressed concurrence in his opinions, what was our surprise to find -that these had been completely changed by a few hours of reflection! - -"I was," he said, "very unreasonable this morning, and am quite ashamed -of myself. What could you expect?" said he to a gentleman who had -mentioned some instances of being cheated in the purchase of horses and -mules, as well as by servants; "what, I ask, could you expect to happen -to an envoy from Persia, who landed at Hull, with the reputation of -having plenty of money; and proceeded to the court of St. James's, -furnishing himself and suite with horses, bought without experience, -and hiring a numerous train of servants, with little if any inquiry -as to their character? Do you think our laws would secure his being -supplied in Yorkshire with horses worth what he gave for them, or -prevent his being cheated and robbed, by men who hang loose on society, -and who consequently would crowd to such a master? - -"Now what is our situation in Persia? We fit out a mission at -Abusheher, buy such horses as are offered, and hire every good-looking -fellow who presents himself. We are in fact compelled to do so; for -in a country where religious prejudices are so strong, none but those -who cannot get bread elsewhere would come to serve Faringees, unless -tempted by the hopes of great gain, through fair or unfair means. - -"This, if you reflect, must be particularly the case in a country where -laws have little force, but where, whatever of morality there is in -the lower orders, chiefly depends upon their religious sentiments, or -feelings of allegiance and attachment to superiors; and amongst equals, -on the ties which subsist in families and tribes. Their religious -prejudices are all against us, and we neither have, nor can have, any -claim on their allegiance or attachment, nor the benefit of family ties -to guard us in our occasional visits to this country; and we should -not therefore wonder that we are sometimes cheated; far less should we -proceed, as I did this morning, to condemn a whole nation because we -discover such crimes in those around us. We ought, in justice to the -Persians, to refer much of what has occurred to our peculiar situation -in their country, and not write them all down rogues, unless we -ascertain that they are, as a people, in the habit of behaving towards -each other, as we have found a few of them behave towards us." - -Such was the Elchee's doctrine, to which there neither was any -expression of assent or dissent. Some probably believed there was -reason in what he stated, while others thought there was no use in -arguing with him on a subject, on which he was known to be very -prejudiced and impatient. - -Two more marches brought us to the banks of the river Jaghattee, which -rising among the mountains of Kurdistan, after fertilizing several -valleys in that country, and in the province of Aderbejan, flows into -the lake of Oormeah. We halted here some days; and were so delighted -with the fishing, shooting, and hunting, near our encampment, that we -should have remained longer, but for a report that the plague was in a -neighbouring village. This determined the Elchee to move; nor could he -be induced to remain by the assurance of some Kurds, that this village -was the utmost limit to which the scourge had ever been known to extend -in this quarter. - -It would fill a volume, were I to relate the amusing and interesting -accounts we received from our enterprising friends; who had not only -visited many of the least known parts of Persia, but had penetrated -into the wide and barbarous countries between that kingdom and India. -Their travels, if ever noticed, must belong to a future work; none -of them excited my curiosity more than those of a gallant and valued -friend, who has since died the death of a soldier. He had traversed -the arid plains of Seestan, and visited the famous cities of Mushed -and Yezd in Khorassan. As he knew Yezd was the chief residence of the -few Guebres, or worshippers of fire, who still remain in Persia, and -who live there, under the protection of their chief, who is one of -the principal magistrates of the town, he had furnished himself with -letters from the Parsees or Guebres at Bombay, to their friends at -Yezd. Among these was one from Khoosroo, a well known poet, who, like -many others, is more famous for the quantity than the quality of his -rhymes. My friend had kept a copy of this singular production, which -was in verse. - -After informing the chief to whom this letter was addressed that the -person who would present it was endowed with many qualities, Khoosroo -terms him the Vakeel or agent of the Elchee, whom he describes as a -man "who never took rest for one moment, in one place."[169] This -characteristic hit made us all laugh. The Elchee, while he joined in -our mirth, defended himself against this charge of perpetual motion -as well as he could. "Laugh away, gentlemen," said he, "but recollect -one thing--I have never changed my abode, but by the orders of my -superiors." - -We went from the banks of the Jaghattee to a village called Koozlee. -Ascending to the top of a hill, we had a fine view of Kurdistan, which -appeared, far as the eye could reach, an interminable cluster of hills. -A few scattered huts, and several small encampments, were all we could -see of human dwellings; and their distance from each other indicated -that stage of civilization which precedes the congregating of men into -villages and towns. - -The impressions this prospect made upon our minds, as to the character -of the people on whose rugged land we were now entering, were confirmed -the ensuing morning at three o'clock, by the cry of "Robbers, robbers! -Murder, murder!" All was instantly in confusion; trumpets sounded, -drums beat to arms; boots destined for the right leg were put on the -left, while we huddled on our clothes, and ran to our posts. It was -too dark to see ten yards; but we soon discovered that there were no -assailants in the camp. Many of our party who had gone in front came -back, and every one had a more alarming tale than the other. According -to them, several men were killed, and a hundred mules plundered. While -listening to these accounts, a Portuguese servant came galloping into -camp, exclaiming, "They are murdering all the Christians! May the Lord -preserve us!" The pious ejaculations of the affrighted Joseph caused -much merriment; for, as he was the only Christian who had been in -danger, it was evident that his alarm, whatever character he desired to -give it, was all for himself. - -The Elchee halted till daylight, and then proceeded towards the -village; where he found his mehmandar, two Kurdish chiefs, and three -or four principal men of the country, consulting what was to be done. -They entreated him to allow them to trace the robbers, and recover what -had been plundered, which was now found to amount to five mule loads; -but circumstances led to a suspicion that some of those who gave this -advice were concerned in the robbery, and the Elchee was consequently -in no temper to listen to their counsel. He told them not to speak to -him, as he neither wanted their advice nor aid: being resolved to deter -the natives of Kurdistan from ever again meddling with an European -envoy. They endeavoured, but in vain, to pacify him; he ordered the -infantry and baggage to proceed to the next stage, twelve miles -distant, and with the cavalry, divided into three parties, swept the -country for eight miles, in the direction in which the mules had been -carried off. Three mules and some of the plundered articles were found; -and as a security for the remainder, nine head persons of hamlets and -petty tribes were seized, and taken to our encampment. The mehmandar -and some Kurdish chiefs entreated for their release, and crowds of -women and children followed us imploring mercy; but all received the -same answer; "When every article which has been taken is restored or -what cannot be found is paid for, then, and not a moment before, shall -these men be released." - -The Elchee either was or pretended to be in a great rage. The -mehmandar, who was a favourite, and used to joke with him, became -alarmed: "I now see," said he, "what I had before heard, but could not -believe, that you Faringees, when in a passion, are as great savages as -we are, or even as the Kurds." - -When we reached our encampment, the hostages were placed in strict -confinement, and not allowed to communicate with any of their families -or tribes. The consequence was what we anticipated. The lost mules -and the greater part of the baggage were brought back. Nothing -remained unaccounted for, but some clothes belonging to the Elchee -and his personal servants. These were valued at seven hundred and -twenty piastres; which, seeing no abatement would be allowed, were -at last paid by the collector of the district.[170] Some hours after -the Elchee sent for this officer, and returned him three hundred and -twenty piastres, the amount of his personal loss. This unexpected -consideration put the collector in good humour. The prisoners, who had -been alarmed for their lives, were not only released but feasted; and -the Elchee made small, but valued, presents of coloured handkerchiefs, -knives, and scissors, to several of their wives and children, who had -followed them to our camp. In short, a gloomy morning was succeeded by -a sunshiny evening, and our Kurd friends left us, declaring they would -never again plunder any of our tribe; a promise they will probably keep -or break, according as they think they can measure strength with those -of our race who may visit their country. - -The Elchee having become not only calm, but in high spirits with his -success, was visited by the mehmandar and others, who assured him the -news of these transactions would soon spread, and protect his camp -against all further attempts of plunderers; and certain it is, we were -never again assailed during our residence in Kurdistan. - -Our march for several days was over a very rugged country, in which -there was little cultivation. The pasture appeared excellent, and the -valleys were watered by small but clear streams. The great want in -Kurdistan, as in many other parts of Persia, is wood. My Indian friend, -Soobadar Syed Hoosein,[171] when riding with me, remarked the great -difference in this particular between the provinces we had travelled -through, and his native land. "These proud Persians," said he, "boast -of their country; but they have neither shade to protect them from the -heat of summer, nor fuel to save them from the cold of winter." - -The day he made this observation, the good Soobadar had reason to -complain of the want of the latter article; for, as winter was yet -distant, it being only the 16th of August, none was furnished, and -the cold proved excessive; the water in our tents was frozen, and -Fahrenheit's thermometer stood at 34 deg. at six in the morning. - -As we approached Sennah, the capital of the province of Ardelan, the -soil improved, and, if cultivated, would, no doubt, produce abundance -of grain; but its rude inhabitants prefer a pastoral life. They are, -if we may judge from what we saw, an uncommonly robust race, and -appear unchanged in their manners and customs by the twenty-three -centuries which have elapsed since the days of Xenophon, who would -have no difficulty, if permitted to return from the Elysian fields, to -recognize the descendants of the enemies he encountered amidst these -wilds. I made this observation to Baharam Meerza, who had been sent by -the Waly of Sennah to welcome the Elchee, and remarked, at the same -time, the little care or knowledge they had about religion, though all -professed that of Mahomed. "It is all very true," he said, "but two or -three days will bring you to Sennah, and you will then see that though -we are Kurds, and have a pride in being so, we are not all barbarians." - - -The evening before we went to Sennah, I read the introductory pages of -the history of the Kurds. It is written by a native; and, according -to this patriotic author, all the virtue and courage this world has -ever known was nurtured amid the wilds and mountains of Kurdistan. -Its inhabitants, he affirms, attained great glory in former ages, and -would have subjected the universe, but for the caution of the prophet -Mahomed, who, struck by the fierce look and gigantic form of a Kurd -ambasssador, prayed to God that this formidable race might never be -united. This prayer was heard, adds my author; and the warriors of -Kurdistan have ever since been at variance with each other. - -Sennah is so surrounded by hills that the town is not seen till you are -close to the suburbs. We were pleased with its appearance: the houses -are well built; and the gardens and cultivation in its vicinity came in -strong and pleasing contrast with the rugged lands through which we had -travelled for the last eight days. - -Two sons of Aman ollah Khan, the Waly, or prince, came with three -hundred horse to meet, and welcome us to the court of their father. I -was delighted with the eldest of these boys. Though only ten years of -age, he rode and managed a very spirited charger with great address. In -his conversation he was free and unembarrassed, mixing the simplicity -of the child with the information of the man. He had, he said, been in -all parts of his father's territories, and appeared well acquainted -with the various tribes by which they were inhabited, answering every -question put to him by the Elchee on this subject with remarkable -clearness and correctness. - -The day after our arrival, we went to visit the Waly, who received -us in a magnificent style. We found him attended by his principal -officers; and the two boys, who had come to meet us, were standing -close to their father. The Elchee wished them to be seated; but that, -he was informed, was against the etiquette of this petty court. That -etiquette however was disturbed. A man came into the room, and spoke -to the Waly in the Kurdish dialect. The prince laughed; and on the -Elchee asking what was the matter--"Nothing," said he, "except that -a spoilt child of mine, not four years of age, declares he will put -himself to death, unless allowed to see you as well as his brothers." -The Elchee entreated he might make his appearance, saying he was fond -of children, and much flattered by the boy's anxiety to see him. Soon -after, in marched this desperate little Kurd, loaded with fine clothes. -He was tolerably bold at first, but took alarm when pressed by the -Elchee to sit near him; he appeared particularly startled by the cocked -hat and high feather. The Elchee, observing this, took out the feather -and gave it him to play with. This act of conciliation was completely -successful. After amusing himself with the feather for some time, the -little fellow ventured to take up the hat, examined it, and other parts -of our dress, and in a few minutes began to chatter in a manner which -delighted the father, who seemed much pleased with the attention paid -to his favourite. - -The Waly having returned the Elchee's visit, and invited us to dine -with him, we went to his palace, a small but handsome building. The -hall in which we were received was forty feet long, twenty-four broad, -and thirty high. A facing of white marble covered the walls of this -apartment to the height of eight feet, above that it was painted and -richly gilt. The chequered gilding of the roof had an appearance like -mosaic, which produced a good effect. Adjoining to this hall, and one -step more elevated, was a room twenty-four feet by eighteen, connected -with the interior of the palace by folding-doors, so admirably -finished, and the gilding of which so exactly corresponded with the -other ornaments of the apartment, that when shut it was difficult to -discover them. The front of the hall was supported by four richly -carved and gilt pillars, and opened on a terrace commanding a view of -the town. On this terrace was a fountain, adapted to its size and that -of the building. - -Persia is famous for its carpets; but none I had ever seen surpassed -in beauty that on which the Waly and his guests were seated in this -hall of his fathers. He appeared to have great pride in introducing -the Elchee to the persons by whom he was surrounded. None of them, he -said, counted less than eight or nine generations in the service of -his family, and some had been its firm and attached adherents during a -period of four centuries. - -"My country," he concluded, "is above two hundred miles in length, -and nearly as much in breadth. We owe and pay allegiance to the kings -of Persia, but we are exempted from that severity of rule which often -ruins our neighbours, who possess rich plains and wealthy cities. -Ardelan presents little temptation to an invader. It abounds in -nothing," he added, smiling, "but brave men and hardy horses." - -The Waly was pleased to find we had, from perusing the history of -Kurdistan, become acquainted with all the great families of that -country, and were familiar with the names and actions of some of the -most renowned of his ancestors. He had a copy of the same history, -but it wanted some passages which were in that of the Elchee, which -he borrowed to have them transcribed. The Elchee was pleased, when -his volume was returned, to find an addition, which brought up the -history of the Walies of Ardelan to the present date, with a most -flattering and highly coloured account of the arrival of the British -mission at Sennah; an event which the author, in a truly eastern style, -predicted would henceforward be deemed an epoch in the annals of that -principality. - -The town of Sennah, which lies in N. lat. 35 deg. 12', enjoys a fine -climate; the small valley in which it is situated being protected from -the severity of the winters in this elevated country, by the hills -around it. The prince and his chiefs live in great luxury, and the -inhabitants have all the appearance of enjoying competence, if not -affluence. Among them were forty families of Nestorian Christians, the -heads of which, with their pastor, visited the Elchee. There were many -of the same sect, the good priest informed us, in Kurdistan, who had -resided there ever since its separation from the Greek church, a period -of thirteen centuries. As for himself and his little flock, he added, -they had a small church at Sennah, and were, as their fathers had been, -not only tolerated, but protected by the princes of Ardelan. This may -in part be ascribed to their being industrious and useful citizens, as -they are almost all either artizans or manufacturers. - -From subsequent conversations which the Elchee had with the Waly, -it appeared that though the kings of Persia had never attempted to -establish their own authority over Ardelan, or to interfere with -its internal administration, they have often disturbed its quiet, by -fomenting discord in the family of its ruler; and more than once have -obtained a temporary influence and power, by aiding a discontented or -revolted prince, to overthrow the direct line of succession. - -The contrast between the inhabitants of Sennah and of the neighbouring -hills is singularly striking. The first are little different in their -habits from citizens in Persia, while the latter are even more rude -than the wandering tribes of that country. You meet them, watching -their flocks of sheep and herds of cattle, within five or six miles -of the small but luxurious capital, and are surprised to find that -it is with pity, not envy, they regard its inhabitants. They glory -in the state and splendour of the prince and chiefs to whom they owe -hereditary allegiance, but look with contempt on the unwarlike, but -more civilized community, with whom those they obey are immediately -surrounded. - -Hamadan, the ancient Ecbatana, Kermen Shah, once the residence of the -mighty Khoosroo; Bagdad and its caliphs, the renowned port of Balsorah, -and the southern shores of the Persian Gulph, are all before me. But -here these volumes must close. My efforts to amuse, and perhaps inform -my readers, are interrupted by circumstances, which, though they forbid -promise, warrant a hope, that if we are pleased with each other we may -meet again. - -FOOTNOTES: - -[160] The writer of the Hubeeb-ul-Syur is the authority quoted by Major -Price, from whose history of the Mahomedans this account is taken. -According to this work, an extraordinary difference was found in the -sun's altitude and declination, at corresponding periods, between -what was exhibited in the tables now framed by Naser-ood-Deen, and in -those formerly established; and an error of surprising magnitude was -detected in the mode that had hitherto been observed for adjusting the -commencement of the new year. - -[161] The first who established this sect in Persia was Hoosein Subah. -His followers hold the same tenets as those of Ismael in Egypt.--Vid. -Hist. Persia, vol. i. p. 395. - -[162] This treatise is called the Akhlak-e-Nasiree, and is deemed -one of the most valuable works which the Mahomedans possess on moral -philosophy. - -[163] The English word assassin is said to be derived from the term -Hooseinee, by which this sect was known. - -[164] This work is called Tarikh Akrad, or the History of the Kurds. It -was given to the Elchee by the Kurd chief of Mohezzee. - -[165] The Mahomedan name of this hero is Sallah-ood-Deen. - -[166] This fort was taken from the Turks by Timoor, after a memorable -siege. Vide Hist. Persia, vol. i. p. 465. - -[167] The ancient Nineveh. - -[168] Assad-ood-Deen's death took place in the year of the Hegira 564. - -[169] "Kih yek dem na geered be-jahee kerra." - -[170] Zabiteh. - -[171] Soobadar is the highest rank a native can attain in the Indian -army. This gallant soldier is now soobadar major of the body guard of -the governor of Madras. - - - London: W. CLOWES & SONS, Duke Street, Stamford Street. - - - - - * * * * * * - - - - -Transcriber's note: - -Obvious errors of punctuation were corrected. - -Inconsistent hyphenation and diacritics were made consistent. - -P. 32: reecital of passages -> recital of passages. - -P. 42: sweatmeats -> sweetmeats. - -P. 72: celebrated physican -> celebrated physician. - -P. 76: seach after truth -> search after truth. - -P. 129: prince of the the Zend family -> prince of the Zend family. - -P. 145: venemous species -> venomous species. - -P. 150: as to to its size -> as to its size. - -P. 165: Two dervises -> Two dervishes. - -P. 167: being unusal for him -> being unusual for him. - -P. 177: banished his presence -> banished from his presence. - -P. 183: frighful precipices -> frightful precipices. - -P. 208: embassadors -> ambassadors. - -P. 232: beeen compelled -> been compelled. - -P. 269: let me me fulfil my vow -> let me fulfil my vow. - -P. 274: the present governer -> the present governor. - - - -***END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK SKETCHES OF PERSIA*** - - -******* This file should be named 52189.txt or 52189.zip ******* - - -This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: -http://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/5/2/1/8/52189 - - -Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions will -be renamed. - -Creating the works from print editions not protected by U.S. copyright -law means that no one owns a United States copyright in these works, -so the Foundation (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United -States without permission and without paying copyright -royalties. 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