1834.] Georgia, Persia, and Mesopotamia. 579 



fallen, it becomes a wonder how he continues to retain any forces at 

 all : and it may be added as a fact, that the Russian Government would 

 give the Major any sum of money to quit the country. Count Paske- 

 witch is so jealous of our intimacy with Persia, and so anxious to dis- 

 lodge us therefrom, that he actually tendered officers to drill the 

 troops entirely at the expense of his own employers ; and had it not 

 been for Major Hart's local power and influence, the Persians would 

 have accepted of their services. When this officer quits Persia, the 

 whole army must swarm with Russians, whose ambassador will not fail 

 to gain an effectual ascendency*. Is this to be wondered at? the 

 Prince Royal has intreated the Indian Governments to grant him offi- 

 cers upon their former terms ; to this they would not listen, so that 

 he must eventually accept the services of Russia. When that day ar- 

 rives our influence in Persia ceases, perhaps for ever f. 



Abbas Mirza has been formally proclaimed heir-apparent to the crown : 

 this has been acknowledged by the two great powers of Europe, but it 

 is a matter of much doubt and uncertainty, whether or not any other 

 member of the reigning family, will ever be established upon the throne. 

 The Kajurs, or royal tribe of Persia, are detested by all classes of peo- 

 ple, and when the present Sbah dies, it is not improbable that an 

 attempt will be made to exterminate the whole family. According to 



* Since the writer quitted Persia, he has heard with unfeigned sorrow that Ma- 

 jor Hart is no more. He may be permitted to embrace tbis opportunity of in- 

 dulging his feelings by a brief record of his lamented friend. The name of Isaac 

 Hart will not be read even by a common acquaintance without awakening senti- 

 ments of the deepest regret, for the loss of so much worth. With good talents he 

 combined an invincible perseverance, a masculine understanding, and an energy 

 of spirit. These endowments were accompanied by qualities of greater value — a 

 purity of principle, a generosity of spirit, aud an affectionate temperament of 

 heart, which secured him the respect and regard of every individual of his acquain- 

 tance. He was on the eve of revisiting his native country, when unhappily his 

 health broke down. He died at Tabriz, on the 11th day of June, 1830. 



f It may not be inapplicable here to remark, that much of the success of the 

 Russians in their intercourse with Persia, where their power is gaining the ascen- 

 dancy over ours, is owing chiefly to the attention they pay to the acquirement of 

 the Persian language ; for which purpose there are both at Moscow and St. Pe- 

 tersburgh institutions, where the young men who are destined for missions are 

 early prepared for that service; and it is much to be regretted that no such insti- 

 tution in our own country places it within our power to cope with our neighbours 

 in our relations with Muhammedan countries. The slightest reflection will con- 

 vince even a common observer, that the negociations of a charge d'affaires at a 

 Muhammedan court, who communicates personally with the supreme head, is in- 

 finitely superior to those of him who is obliged to employ an interpreter, who 

 invariably turns your negociations to his own account, or that of his highest 

 bidder. 



3 £ 2 



