MOSCOW. 
63 
poignards are sold in Moscow, but of worse 
materials than the swords from England. When v 
they sit, which they generally do during the 
whole day, they have their feet bare. Orazai 
was very desirous that we should visit Persia. 
Taking out a reed, and holding it in his left 
hand, he began to write from right to left, put- 
ting down our names, and noting the infor- 
mation we gave him of England. Afterwards 
he wrote his own name, in fair Persian cha- 
racters, and gave it to us, as a memorial by 
which to recognise us if we ever should visit 
Persia. 
Upon the journey, they both purchased and 
sold slaves. He offered an Indian negro, who 
acted as his cook, for twelve hundred roubles. 
An amusing embarrassment took place whenever 
a little dog belonging to us found his way into 
the ambassador’s room. The Persians imme- 
diately drew up their feet, and hastily caught 
up all their clothes, retiring as far back as 
possible upon their couches. They told us, 
that if a dog touch even the skirt of their 
clothing, they are thereby defiled, and cannot 
say their prayers without changing every thing, 
and undergoing complete purification. His 
slaves sometimes played the balalaika, or guitar 
with two strings. The airs were very lively. 
CHAP. 
IV. 
