heir-apparent of Persia. The Shah's revenue at the time I write of, was computed by an English author[1] as amounting to little less than six millions sterling. The crown jewels of Persia in the possession of Fetteh Ali have been estimated as being of more intrinsic value than those of any contemporary prince of Christendom.[2]
But a dark cloud was gathering in the north, which soon overshadowed this fair prospect, and which in due time poured forth its violence over the kingdom of Persia. The events of this period shall be recorded in a separate chapter.[3]
- ↑ Sir J. Malcom.
- ↑ The author of Monarchs Retired from Business makes a statement the incorrectness of which is proportionate to the confidence with which it is advanced to the effect that the modern Shah of Persia, like the shrine of the three kings at Cologne, is surrounded by tinsel, glass, and false jewelry. This well-informed author further tells his readers that the Shah is bullied by Russia, cajoled by France, and not treated with over civility by England.
- ↑ The following descriptions, by two modern travellers, give us some idea of the Oriental splendour of which the Court of Fetteh Ali Shah was, on festive occasions, the scene:—
"The first ceremony of the festival of Norooz was the introduction of the presents from the different provinces. That from Prince Hossein Ali Meerza, governor of Shiraz, came first. The master of the ceremonies walked up, having with him the conductor of the present and an attendant, who, when the name and titles of the donor had been proclaimed, read aloud from a paper the list of the articles. The present from Prince Hossein Ali Meerza consisted of a very long train of large trays placed on men's heads, on which were shawls, stuffs of all sorts, pearls, &c.; then, many trays filled with sugar and sweetmeats; after that many mules laden with fruit, &c. The next present was from Mahomed Ali Khan, prince of Hamadan, the eldest-born of the king's sons, but who had been deprived by his father of the succession, because the Georgian slave who bore him was of an extraction less noble than that of the mothers of the younger princes. His present accorded with the character which is assigned to him: it consisted of pistols and spears, a string of one hundred camels and as many
uncle what he would do if he were Shah; when, with more candour than prudence, looking on the hideous face of the eunuch, the child replied, "I would put you to death." The answer had nearly cost him his life, and it lost him his chance of a crown.
