180 KEMINISCEXCES OF A SPORTSMAN. 



moment bis smiles announced Lis felicity, the palace 

 resounded with a concert of violins, hautboys, clarinets, 

 trumpets, bassoons, flutes, and kettle-drums, in which 

 the calls and hallooings of falconers were artfully inter- 

 woven with the music, and expressed with surprising 

 loveliness by the instruments. The nobles about the 

 throne then rose up, and copied into their faces the 

 alacrity which brightened and endeared that of the 

 prince ; and each of them, having admired and praised 

 the wonderful hawk, according to their rank, the last 

 returned it to the great falconer. Then they offered his 

 Majesty their humble felicitations on the fortunate event, 

 and prayed that every hour may dance onward to him, 

 scattering such and greater instances of good fortune. 

 The value of most things depends on the light and 

 situation wherein they are viewed, not on what they 

 are themselves, at least with regard to the Sophi's 

 falcon this is the case. The ceremony of the falcon 

 being ended with infinite delight to every mortal whc» 

 shared in the honour of it, the first secretary of state 

 dispatched couriers to every part of the monarchy to in- 

 form the lieges of the inestimable acquisition made by 

 his sovereign that they might mingle their joy with his. 

 This news fires the loyalty of the different provinces, and 

 they delay not a moment to send ambassadors who have 

 approved wisdom and discretion in making bows and 

 compliments to congratulate his Majesty on this 

 immense addition to his royal bliss. Universal mirth 

 prevails over the Persian dominions demonstrated by 

 bonfires, illuminations, and feasts. These rejoicings con- 

 tinue nine days, and on the tenth the Sophi, in his royal 

 robes, and attended by all his court, rides on an Ara- 

 bian courser, with furniture of green velvet curiously 



