THE SOURCE OF THE NILE. 27% 
Iy, refufed in Perfia. to ftrangers. Conon *, the Athe- 
nian, had occafion for an interview with Artaxerxes, 
king of Perfia, upon matters of great concern to both 
ftates ; “‘ You fhall be introduced to the king by me, fays 
the Perfian minifter to Conon, without any delay; do 
you only firft confider with yourfelf, whether it is real- 
ly of any confequence that you fhould {peak with the 
king yourfelf, or whether it would not be as well for you 
to convey to him, by letter, any thing you have to fay; for 
it is abfolutely neceflary, if you are introduced into the 
king’s prefence, that you fall down upon your face and 
worfhip him. If this is difagreeable or offenfive to you, 
your bufinefs fhall neverthelefs be equally well and quick- 
ly done by me.” To which Conon very fenfibly replied,. 
“ For my part, it never can be offenfive to me to fhew every 
degree of refpect poflible to the perfon of a king. I only 
am afraid that this falutation may be mifinterpreted by my 
' eitizens, who, being themfelves a fovereign ftate, may look 
upon this fubmiflion of their ambaflador as a reproach to 
themfelves,and inconfiftent with their independency.” Conon, 
therefore, defired to wave his introduction, and that his bu- 
finefs might be done by letters, which was complied with 
accordingly. 
Tuave already mentioned tranfiently the eircumftance of 
the king not being feen when fitting in council. The man- 
ner of it is this: When he had bufinefs formerly, he fat 
eonftantly in a room of his palace, which communicated 
with the audience and council by two folding doors or 
e large 
* Juttin, lib. yi, Omil. Prob.. 
