VIZIER'S CHARACTER. 165 



soon made to me, to know if I had any in my 

 possession. They have an idea that all European 

 gentlemen will sell whatever they have, if well 

 paid for it. I had with me a double^barrel Pro- 

 bin, and when they found that money would not 

 induce me to part with it, Serif Ally Kawn 

 offered me the choice of a horse out of a large 

 string, in exchange for it : this I politely refused, 

 giving as a reason that I had no other with me, 

 that I was very fond of shooting, and expected 

 much sport before I returned to my station (this 

 happened on the line of march before described) ; 

 upon this he requested that I would allow him to 

 introduce me to the Vizier, which he did the next 

 morning in the field. 



His Highness was on horseback ; he dismounted, 

 and I got off the elephant on which I was riding. 

 His Highness then presented me with a very 

 fine string of pearls, which he took from his own 

 neck:* I touched them, and made a salam. We 

 then embraced, that is, we crossed each other's 

 necks with our right arms; after which he 



* I was much laughed at afterwards for not taking the 

 pearls, which were of great value : and I was given to 

 understand that it was expected ; and my not having done 

 it, considered an ill compliment. 



