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. Chirâgh 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 meerzâ 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 Meerzâ 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 Meerzâ, "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
Meerzâ 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.
Sûlimân 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 Sûlimân 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
Hindustânnee 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 Meerzâ, 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 Sûlimân 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 "Yâ 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 Tûrkûmâns
of Goorgân, 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 Tûrkûmâns, 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 Sûlimân 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 Shâh, 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 Bâbâ 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.
Sûlimân 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. Sûlimân 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 Sûlimân 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 Omrâhs is Mahomed Hoosein Khan
Doodâkee?" 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,
Rizâ 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 Doodâkee, 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 Omrâhs is Mahomed
Hoosein Khan Doodâkee?"
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 Shâh 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, Meerzâ Seffee and Meerzâ
Rizâ 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] Deevân-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-khûdâ-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 Deriâ-e-Noor, or sea of light, weighs 186 carats, and is
considered to be the diamond of the finest lustre in the world. The
Tâj-e-Mâh, 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 dâree tifl, dil dâree.