226 Description of Bokhara. [May, 
tion while in Bokhara; he however prohibited our using pen and ink, 
since it might lead to our conduct being misrepresented to the king, 
and prove injurious. He also added, that the route to the Caspian Sea 
by the way of Khiva had been closed for the last year ; and that, if we 
intended to enter Russia, we must either pursue the northern route 
from Bokhara, or cross the Tvirkmdn desert below Organj to Astra- 
bdd on the Caspian. 
Two days after this interview, I was again summoned by the vizier, 
and found him surrounded by a great number of respectable persons, to 
whom he appeared desirous of exhibiting me. I was questioned in 
such a way as to make me believe that our character was not altoge~ 
ther free from suspicion ; but the vizier said jestingly, I suppose you 
have been writing about Bokhara. Since I had in the first instance 
given so true a tale, I had here no apprehensions of contradiction, and 
freely told the party that I had come to see the world, and the wonders 
of Bokhara, and that by the vizier’s favor, I had been already perambu- 
lating the city. The minister was the only person who appeared 
pleased with the candour, and said that he would be happy to see me at 
all times in the evening : he inquired if I had any curiosity to exhibit 
to him, either of India or my own country ; but I regretted my inabi- 
lity to meet his wishes. On my return home, it occurred to me 
that the all-curious vizier might be gratified by the sight of a patent 
compass, with its glasses, screws, and reflectors; but I also feared that 
he might construe my possession of this complicated piece of mechanism 
mto a light which would not be favorable. I however sallied forth with 
the instrument in my pocket, and soon found myself in the presence of 
the vizier. I told him that I believed I had found a curiosity that 
would gratify him, and produced the compass, which was quite new and 
of very beautiful workmanship. I described its utility, and pointed out 
its beauty, till the vizier seemed quite to have forgotten, “‘ that he was 
but a slave of the king, and could receive nothing ;” indeed he was pro- 
ceeding to bargain for its price, when I interrupted him. I assured 
him that I had brought it from Hindustan, that I might purposely 
present it to him ; since I had heard of his zeal in the cause of religion, 
and it would enable him to point to the holy Mecca, and rectify the 
Kibla of the grand mosque, which he was now building in Bokhara. 
I told him, that I could receive no reward, since we were already re-. 
warded, above all price, by his protection. The Gosh Begi packed 
up the compass with all the haste and anxiety of a child, and said that. 
he would take it direct to his Majesty, and describe the wonderful inge- 
nuity of our nation. Thus fell one of my compasses. It was a fine 
