of the negociation were daily minuted in my journal; but they involve so many personal considerations that they could not be fairly published, even if I had not acquired the information by confidential and official opportunities. Isa crifice, therefore, but with deep regret, the power of doing that justice to the merits of the British envoy, which the simple narrative, without one comment, would have afforded. I must content myself with adding, that Sir Harford Jones succeeded in his great object; and concluded a treaty with Persia (where the French influence bad already baffled and driven away one English agent) by which the French, in their turn, were expelled, and our influence was restored; at a time when, instead of co-operation, he experienced only counteraction, from the British Government of India, and encountered all the rivalry of the active and able emissaries of France.

On another motive I regret the omission of these notes. They would have characterized, I believe with fidelity, the habits and modes of thinking of a Persian statesman, and added an amusing document to the annals of diplomacy. The conferences of the plenipotentiaries were carried on at times with the warmest contentions, at other times interrupted by the loudest laughter on the most indifferent subject. One night the parties had sat so long, and had talked So much without producing conviction on either side, that the plenipotentiaries, by a sort of un-official compact, fell asleep. The prime minister and the Ameen ed Doulah snored aloud in one place, and the Envoy and I stretched ourselves along in another. Though on the very first night of the discussions, the parties had separated with a full conviction that every thing was ttled; and, though the prime minister himself, laying bis hand on the Envoy's shoulder, had said to him, "You have already completed what the King of England himself in person could not have done;" yet the very next conference, they came forwards with pretensions alike new and extravagant. At the close of that meeting, however, the chief secretary was appointed to bring the treaty written fair to the Envoy on the following morning. Instead of this, the prime minister sent a large citron, and inquired after the Envoy's health. On another occasion, the Persian plenipotentiaries swore that every thing should be as the Envoy wish ed, and instantly wrote out a correspond

ing form of treaty, to which (rather than start a difficulty about indifferent words) he assented. They were then so anxious that he should immediately attend them to the. King's summer palace to sign, that they would not give him time to translate it into English: be however refused to sign a Persian treaty, till the English copy was ready. They so little expected this refusal, that they had already, by the King's desire,`sent thirty mule-loads of fruits, sherbets, and sweetmeats to celebrate the event at the new palace; and were of course displeased and disappointed. At another time, in the middle of a very serious conversation, the prime minister stopped short, and asked the envoy very coolly, to tell hira the history of the world from the creation. This was intended as a joke upon one of the secretaries, who was then writing the annals of the reign of the present King. On another occasion, in which the same minister was deeply and personally interested, and in winen he invoked every thing sacred to attest his veracity, and convince the envoy, (now, "by the head of the King;" then, "by Mecca;" then, "by the salt of Fath Ali Shah") he turned to me in a pause of his discourse, and asked if I were married, and begun some absurd story.

These circumstances, however charac teristic of the people, may appear trifling in themselves, or at least indicative of minds, over which an European negos ciator might easily attain an ascendency. It is necessary therefore to premise, that the real difficulties of our situation were never diminished by any deficiency of address and diplomatic finesse in the Persian plenipotentiaries. Every fresh dispatch which the French received from Europe, while it contributed to raise the spirits and activity of our rivals theurselves, enabled the Persians also to assume a higher tone of decision between our contending interests, while the only communications from his own countrymen which Sir Harford Jones received in Persia, were those which would have baffled the hopes and discouraged the enterprize of almost any other man. Ia the alteration of the dispositions of the court of Persia, he retained the same firm and unbending policy; and when the influence of the French appeared to be regaining all its preponderance, be made no one concession which he had not offered in more favourable circumstances, and finally succeeded in concluding a treaty almost on his own original terins,

while the French were signing every demand which the Persians made.*

SIGNING THE TREATIES.

At length a night was fixed in which the Treaties were to be signed. The Envoy and I repaired to the house of the Amcen-ed-Doolah, where we found him and his Nazir or Superintendant, the Prime Minister, the Chief Secretary, and the Persian Agent for English Affairs at Shiraz. The conversation, after a short time, fixed on learned subjects. The Persians are extremely fond of history and geography, though, in general, they are profoundly ignorant of both. The Prime Minister went through in a breath the whole history of Russia. We then entered on matters of chronology, which introduced a discussion on the relative antiquity of particular remains, as Persepitis and Nakshi Rustam. The Chief Secretary, who seemed to have read much Persian history, knew that part

This author is every where animated

by a sufficient degree of anti-gallicism, and perhaps that spirit is a recommendation in modern English Diplomacy! Some such feeling probably led him to send his extraordinary statement to England in 1801, relative to the French expedition into Syria, when he was secretary at Constantinople. In that statement was contained the original version of the Oriental Fable of the Poisoning at Jaffa, an offspring worthy of some fanatical Turkbut to which, in our humble opinion, an English diplomatist ought not to have been sponsor! The authors of Wilson's book de. prived Mr. M. of his fame and profit in that affair, by copying this Fable. It thus acquired further consequence, and was in fact the only public cause we ever could trace or discover for the present war. Great effects spring, however, from small causes, and it would now be a link in the chain of history, if Mr. M. would condescend, on some suitable occasion, to explain how such a story obtained credence in the diplomatic circles at Pera. We fully acquit him, however, of being a culpable party in provoking a war attended by such direful effects, because he transmitted this Turkish anecdote during the period in which we were engaged in hostilities with France; but, by some mischance, did not appear in London till after the peace of Amiens. A literary piracy gave it subsequent importance; yet the secret bistory of the origin of this worse than Pandora's Box deserves to be known. Those who wish to

it

trace its unhappy connection with a world covered with blood, should consult the Appendix to Mr. Belsham's twelfth volume EDITOR

which related to Shapour, and mentioned that he had carried his arms into Syria, and had taken prisoner a Roman Emperor. Yet the subject of the sculptures at Nakshi Rustam had still escaped their observation; and they had still, according to the popular belief, substituted Rustam for Shapour, as the hero of those repre sentations. To this conversation, supper succeeded; as usual it was short.

The Treaties were then brought in, and read and approved. The date was still wanting. Sir Harford Jones desired them to insert the usual form, commence. ing, "In witness whereof," &c. This, however, the Persians could not understand, and objected strenuously to the word "witnesses," who were never introduced except into a court of justice. At length the Envoy produced the precedent of treaties signed at Constantinople, where the form is invariably used. They acquiesced immediately: but another difficulty succeeded; " Should the year of our Lord precede the Hejira 2" The Secretary proposed that, in our copy of the Treaty, our era should stand first, and that the order should be reversed in that which they were to keep. At last the Minister, who suspected that the Secretary was inclined to create difficulties, finished every argument by declaring that, "As Jesus Christ lived before Mahomed, there could be no doubt but that his tarikh should stand first." The Secretary, who is esteemed one of the first composers, and one of the best penthe language which Sir Harford dictated men in Persia, resisted the plainness of for the insertion of the date, and produced something so unlike a diplomatic style, and so full of figurative expressions, that it was rejected totally on our parts. Mirza Sheffeea then took up the pen, and drew a simpler formulary, which, with a few emendations, was admitted. The Secretary was then desired to copy it into the Treaty; but he seemed indig nant to find that a date was only to be plain matter of fact, and begged hard to make it a little finer. Mirza Sheffees, however, desired him to write as he had written, and this was at length accomplished with great difficulty. Then came the business of signing. The Prime Minister, Mirza Sheffeea, first took up the pen, and put down his own name and that of his brother Plenipotentiary, who was unable to sign himself. Atter signing came sealing. The Secretary applied the seals, Mirza Sheffeca crying

not

out to him, Bezun, Bezun, or, "strike, strike," as if he had been striking a bar gain in the bazar. In the act of signing and sealing the parties made frequent exclamations, such as, "God grant the friendship between the two states may be binding!" "May this prove a fortunate day." "Let us hope that nothing may ever break this bond.” which every one present emphatically and repeatedly resounded, "Inch Allah! God grant it!”

PUNISHMENT OF THEFT.

To all

The King never pardons theft, and orders a convicted thief to be executed instantly. The mode is as follows: two young trees are by main strength brought together at their summits, and there fastened with cords together. The culprit is then brought out, and his legs are tied with ropes, which are again carried up and fixed to the top of the trees. The cords that force the trees together are then cut; and, in the elasticity and power of this spring, the body of the thief is torn asunder, and left thus to hang divided on each separate tree. The inflexibility of the King in this point has given to the roads a security, which, in former times, was little known.

PERSIAN RACES.

The King held the races, at which also the Envoy was desired to be present, From the Casvin gate, at which we left the city, we proceeded about half a mile to a fine even part of the country, where a tent was pitched for the King. All his new-raised troops were arranged on the right and in front of it. On the left, facing the tent, we stood in a line, near the Ministers, Mirza Sheffeea, and the Ameen-ed-Doulah. Directly opposite his Majesty were eight of his sons, richly dressed in velvet and gold brocade coats, all glittering with gold and jewels. One of these carried by his side his father's bow and his quiver, thickly set with preCIOUS stones. The Master of the Ceremonies in the field, was a young Persian, who carried an ornamented and gilded spear. One or two of the Princes were mounted on white horses, the legs, belly, and lower parts of the buttock of which were dyed a rich orange colour, termi. nated at the top by little flowers. The Persians much adimire this species of disfigurement, nor in the East is their taste singular. At about fifty paces distance from the Princes, stood the King's band of music, with a troop of looties and their monkies. The state elephants were on the ground, on the largest of which the

King, seated in a very elegant howdar, rode forth from the city.

When he alighted he was saluted by a discharge of zomboorcks; the salute indeed is always fired when the King alights from his horse or mounts. In one of the courts of the palace at Shiraz we had previously noticed this artillery. The zomboorek is a small gun mounted on the back of a camel. The conductor, from his seat behind, guides the animal by a long bridle, and loads and fires the little cannon without difficulty. He wears a coat of orange-coloured cloth, and a cap with a brass front; and his camel carries a triangular green and red flag. Of these there were one hundred on the field; and, when their salute was fired, they retreated in a body behind the King's tent, where the camels were made to kneel down. Collectively they make a fine military appearance. This species of armament is common to many Asiatic states, yet the elf ct at best is very trifling. The Persians, however, place great confidence in their execution; and Mirza Sheffeca, in speaking of them to the Envoy, said, "These are what the Russians dread."

No exhibition could be more miserable than the races, the immediate object of Our excursion. They are intended to try rather the bottom than the speed of the horses. The prize is what the King may be pleased to give to the first jockiës, On this occasion there were two sets, that came severally from a distance of twelve and twenty-one piles; each consisted of about twelve ill-looking horses, mounted by boys of ten or twelve years old, who were wretchedly dressed in a shirt and pair of breeches, boots and cap. In each race the King's horses won, of course. Horses are trained in this manner for a reason sufficiently obvious, in a country where the fortunes of the state, and of every individual, are exposed to such sudden changes. Every one likes to be prepared with some mode of escape, in case of pursuit: now horses thus inured to running will continue on the gallop for a day together, whuist a high-conditioned and well-fed animal would drop at the end of ten miles. For this reason the King always keeps himself well supplied with a stud of this description, as a resource in the event of an accident. When, on the death of his uncle, Aga Mahomed Khan, he was summoned by Hajee Ibrahim, the manister of the late King, to assume as the heir the sovereignty, be thus travelled

from

from Shiraz to Teheram, a distance of five hundred miles, in six days.

In the interval of the race, the King sent the Master of the Ceremonies to desire the Envoy and his suite to come before him. We dismounted from our horses, and proceeded with the Prime Minister and the Ameen-ed- Doulah, before the King's presence, making low bows as we advanced. When we were about twenty steps from his Majesty, we stopped and made our final low bow. The King was seated on a high chair, under a canopy, the sides of which were formed of gold cloth, and of lookingglasses. The chair itself was beautifully embroidered with enamelled flowers and other ornaments; on one of the arms was a pot of flowers, and on the other a vase of rose-water. On one side was spread a velvet and gold cloth carpet, with the pearl pillow. The King was in bis riding dress, a close coat of purple velvet, embroidered in pearl, the sheepskin cap, and a pair of bulgar boots. As he was placed in a good light, we had an excellent view of him. His manners are perfectly easy and unconstrained, with much dignity and affability. He first inquired after the Envoy's health, of whose good qualities the two Ministers then entered into an immense eulogium, praising him in terms the most extravagant. Then the names of all the party were mentioned to the King, and each was asked how he did. All the conver sation was complimentary; and, when the comparison was made between us and the French, the King said, "They were haivans, beasts, wild men, savages. These are gentlemen."

ANOTHER ROYAL AUDIENCE.

On the 31st we went to the King. At this audience he was scated in a room in a square court, called the Gulistan, a name derived from the roses with which (intermixed with cypress and chenar trees) it was planted. We were introduced into it by the two Ministers, through a door smail and mean, like those in other parts of the palace, and which are obviously adapted for more easy defence in the event of any sudden alarm, In the centre of the garden is a Koolafrangee, built by Aga Mahomed Khan, The garden itself was arranged in squares, with some miserable palings. Peacocks and hens, great favourites in Persia, were every where walking about. After having paraded through the garden in various directions, (for this also is a part of the ceremonial,) we finally approached MONTHLY MAG. No, 236.

the presence. We took off our slippers at some distance, and walking on the bare stones, stepped up a difficult stair case into a small and elegant room, in which his Majesty was seated. At the foot of the staircase was a row of eunuchs; and at the top several officers. At our entrance the King desired us to be seated, but we excused ourselves and stood. His Majesty's throne was that on which he had appeared at our first audience. The Envoy had complained to the Minister, that on that occasion we bad no favourable opportunity of seeing the King; and his Majesty had probably been informed of the disappointment, and had condescended in consequence to gratify our curiosity, by transferring his throne to a more favourable position, and displaying himself upon it in all the magnificence of his state. He was dressed in a light coat of scarlet and gold cloth; on his shoulders were large layers of pearl and precious stones. On each of his arms were three rows of jewels, called the bazelunds; these are his finest jewels, one of which, the dercea nore, is one of the largest in the world. Though set in a clumsy manner, they had a rich and royal effect. Round his waist he wore a band about four inches broad of pearl, connected in the middle by a clasp, the centre of which was an emerald of an immense size. In this band he wore a brilliant dagger; from it also dangled a tassel of pearl, which he continually kept in his hand as a plaything. His kaleoon is a beautiful toy: it stood in the left corner of the throne, and was one blaze of precious stones.

On the right of his throne stood four pages, one holding his crown, another his shield and mace, a third his bow and arrows, and a fourth his sword. All these are beautiful, particularly Itis crown: it is in every part thickly inlaid with pearl, emeralds, rubies, and diamonds on the summit is a gika of precious stones, on the sides of which are plumes of herons' feathers.

His Majesty talked with much famili arity; and asked us, what news from the Yenzee Duneea, that is, the new world, as they call America. He inquired, "What sort of a place is it? How do you get at it? Is it under ground, or how?" He then talked of our govern ment; and appeared aware that the Kings of England could do little without the intervention of their parliament. In the explanations which followed this subject, his Persian Majesty was visibly

astonished

astonished that any limitation could be placed to royal authority. The conversation turned; and the King talked of Buonaparte, and launched out in general terms against the French. After the introduction of some other topics, his Majesty dismissed us by a nod of his head, desiring that a kalaat might be given to me, and that a Mehmander might be appointed to attend me on my journey.

ROYAL LETTER.

We went before the King; his Majes ty's conversation was quite enlivening. He swore it was by him that Buonaparte was made the man he is, and that in the course of the next year he would be de stroyed. We received his Majesty's letter to the King of England: it was richly gilt and ornamented with flowers. The seal was on a separate piece of paper, and placed at the foot of the letter, according to an old Persian etiquette, when the King addresses an equal: when he writes to an inferior, the seal is affixed to the top. In composition, Persian critics pronounced this letter perfect; the Chief Secretary had been employed in it several days: and that to the Minister for Foreign Affairs, was intended to be equally fine, and indeed to comprehend all the politics of the world within its pages.

TEHERAN.

Teheran,the present capital of Persia, is situated, as I ascertained by a meridional observation,in lat. 35°. 40. It is in circumference between four and a half and five miles, if we might judge from the length of our ride round the walls, which indeed occupied an hour and a half; but from this we must deduct something for the deviations necessary from the intervention of the gardens, and the slaughterhouses. There are six gates, inlaid with ́coloured bricks, and with figures of tigers and other beasts in rude mosaic: their entrance is lofty and domed; and they are certainly better than those that we had then seen in any of the fortified places in Persia, To the N. W. are separate towers, We saw two pieces of artillery; one apparently a mortar, the other a long gun. The ditch in some parts had fallen in, and was there supported by brick-work,

The town itself is about the size of Shiraz; but it has not so many public edifices: and, as it is built of bricks baked in the sun, the whole has a mud-like appearance. Of the mosques, the principal is the Mesjid Shah, a structure not yet finished. There are six others, small

and insignificant; and three or four medresses or colleges. There are said to be one hundred and fifty caravanserais, and one hundred and fifty hummums or baths. There are two maidans; one in the town, the other within the ark, a square fortified palace, which contains all the establishments of the King, is surrounded by a wall and ditch, and is entered by two gates.

The Harem is most numerous, and contains a female establishment as extensive as the public household. All the officers of the King's court are there represented by females. There are women feroshes, and there is a woman ferosh bashee; women chatters, and a woman chatter bushee; there is a woman orz beggec, and a woman ish agassi; in short, there is a female duplicate for every male officer; and the King's service in the interior of the harem is carried on with the same etiquette and regularity, as the exterior economy of his state. The women of the harem, who are educated to administer to the plea sures of the King by singing and dancing, are mstructed by the best masters that the country can supply. An Armenian at Shiraz was unfortunately renowned for performing excellently on the kamouncha. The fame of his skill reached the King's ears, and he was immediately ordered up to court, on the charge of being the best kamouncha player in his Majesty's domi nions. The poor man, who had a wife and family and commercial concerns at Shiraz, was, during our stay, detained at Teheran expressly to teach the King's women the art of playing on the ke mouncha.

The King's family consists of sixty-five sons. As they make no account of fe males, it is not known how many daughters he may have; although he is said to have an equal number of both sexes. It sometimes happens, that many of his women are delivered on the same night, and (if we might give credit to a Persian) one of these happy coincidences occurred during our abode in the capital, when, in one night, six of his women were brought to bed, four of sons and two of daughters. The Ameen-ed-Doulah had one, indeed, of the babes at his house; and a present was sent for it from Ispahan, composed of four mules, laden with all sorts of rich clothes.

The climate of Teheran is variable, in consequence of its situation at the foot of high mountains, which, on the other side, are backed by such a sea as the

Caspiau.