DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.15174#0135
CHAP. XVI.
SHAH OF PERSIA.
119
made no further inquiries into my objects for tra-
velling. " How did you travel in Toorkistan?"
asked the Shah. I told him that my conveyance
was a camel, at which he smiled. After some de-
sultory conversation and complimentary speeches
between the Shah and the Envoy, we left the pre-
sence of the King of kings with the same bows and
ceremonies that we had approached it.
Futtih Ali Shah has by no means the appearance
of an old man, though his age must be upwards of
seventy. His voice is full and sonorous, and he
sits erect with much dignity. His dress was re-
markably plain, and of black cloth, which was not
becoming, nor did it show off to advantage his
beard, that wonder of the East. I should not be
surprised that this monarch outlived his son Abbas.*
It is said, that he has recourse to the essence of
pearls and precious stones, which he uses as tonics,
to support his declining strength, and in which the
Oriental faculty have great faith. The moderns
apply these gems to other purposes ; and the Shah
of Persia deserves some credit as being one of the
few persons I have heard of who turns them to a
useful'purpose.
I now found myself poised between Europe and
Asia; and though I had informed his Majesty that
I purposed returning to India, I had every inclin-
ation to prosecute my way to Constantinople, dis-
tant but twenty days' journey. Would that I had
* I need not observe that this was written before the intel-
ligence of Abbas Meerza's death reached England.
i 4)
SHAH OF PERSIA.
119
made no further inquiries into my objects for tra-
velling. " How did you travel in Toorkistan?"
asked the Shah. I told him that my conveyance
was a camel, at which he smiled. After some de-
sultory conversation and complimentary speeches
between the Shah and the Envoy, we left the pre-
sence of the King of kings with the same bows and
ceremonies that we had approached it.
Futtih Ali Shah has by no means the appearance
of an old man, though his age must be upwards of
seventy. His voice is full and sonorous, and he
sits erect with much dignity. His dress was re-
markably plain, and of black cloth, which was not
becoming, nor did it show off to advantage his
beard, that wonder of the East. I should not be
surprised that this monarch outlived his son Abbas.*
It is said, that he has recourse to the essence of
pearls and precious stones, which he uses as tonics,
to support his declining strength, and in which the
Oriental faculty have great faith. The moderns
apply these gems to other purposes ; and the Shah
of Persia deserves some credit as being one of the
few persons I have heard of who turns them to a
useful'purpose.
I now found myself poised between Europe and
Asia; and though I had informed his Majesty that
I purposed returning to India, I had every inclin-
ation to prosecute my way to Constantinople, dis-
tant but twenty days' journey. Would that I had
* I need not observe that this was written before the intel-
ligence of Abbas Meerza's death reached England.
i 4)