Burnes, Alexander: Travels into Bokhara: containing the narrative of a voyage on the Indus from the sea to Lahore, ... and an account of a journey from India to Cabool, Tartary and Persia ; performed by order of the supreme government of India, in the years 1831, 32, and 33 (Band 1) (London, 1835)

chap. in. ADDRESS THE AMEER.

53

In return for Meer Roostum Khan's kindness,
I addressed to him a Persian letter in the following
terms, which will serve as a specimen of the epis-
tolary style used by the people of this country,
which I imitated as closely as possible : —

(After compliments :) " I hasten to inform your
" Highness that I have reached the frontiers of
" your country in company with the respectable
" Syud Tukkee Shah, who has accompanied me
" on the part of Meer Moorad Ah Khan from
" Hydrabad. As I have long since heard of your
" Highness from those who pass between Cutch
" and Sinde, it forms a source of congratulation to
" me that I have arrived in your dominions, and
" brought along with me in safety the presents
" which have been graciously bestowed on Maha
" Raja Runjeet Sing by His Majesty the King of
" England, mighty in rank, ternole as the planet
" Mars, a monarch great and magnificent, of the
" rank of Jemshid, of the dignity of Alexander,
" unequalled by Darius, just as Nousherwan, great
" as Fureedoon, admired as Cyrus famed as the
" Sun, the destroyer of tyranny and oppression, up-
" right and generous, pious and devout, favoured
'f from above, &c. &c.: may his dominion endure
" for ever !

" It is well known that when a friend comes to
" the country of a friend it is a source of much
" happiness, and I have therefore written these few
" lines ; but when I have the pleasure of seeing
" you, my joy will be increased.

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