PERSIANS. — CALIFORNIANS. 
195 
of the Persian sovereigns.) His physiognomy in general expresses 
sweetness, and his smile is at once noble and gracious. His moral 
qualities are not inferior to his physical advantages. He is benevo- 
lent, generous, and one of the most learned men in Persia. He knows, 
and perfectly appreciates, European customs, having been almost 
always surrounded by European officers, both French and English. 
His policy is not narrow, like that of the Turks. A single instance 
will suffice to shew how much the policy of the court of Persia differs 
from that of the Porte. Whilst at Constantinople the princes of the 
imperial family are imprisoned all their lives in an old seraglio, it 
is the custom at Teheran to confide the important provinces of Per- 
sia exclusively to the princes of the royal blood. 
‘‘ The Persian army is composed, first, of the guards of the king 
and princes ; secondly, of the troops furnished by the Nomadic tribes; 
thirdly, of the provincial militia, who do no regular nor perma nent d uty ; 
fourthly, of various corps of infantry, cavalry, and artillery, exercised 
and clothed nearly the same as European soldiers, without reckoning 
a corps of bad artillery, called Zemboureh. 
The number of guards is 4,000 
That of the Nomadic troops 80,000 
Militia 150,000 
Troops disciplined like European soldiers 20,000 
Total 254,000 
“ In time of war, the number of Nomadic troops and militia may 
easily be doubled. 
“Tehraun, (falsely called Teheran,) the capital of the empire, is 
situated in a plain at the foot of the mountains of Elborz. It is sur- 
rounded by deep moats, towers, and a wall which embraces an extent 
of four miles. The streets are narrow and dirty, like those of all 
the towns of Persia. When a khan or great personage goes out to 
take an airing, or for any other purpose, he is rarely seen on foot ; 
he mounts a horse, and is followed by thirty or forty domestics on 
foot. One of these carries his master’s pipe; the others are required 
to make up his suite. The narrators of national histories, surrounded 
by a group of listeners, are often met with in the streets. They 
relate, with animated gestures, and changing their tone or voice as 
the subjects require, sometimes the loves of Khosroo and Shirenee ; 
at others, the exploits of Rustaum, their favourite hero; or sing some 
verses of Ferdousi, the Homer of their country. Every body takes 
delight in these amusements, from the peasant to the prince. The 
Schah, as well as the prince-governors, have each their history-nar- 
rator, and they send for them when they are affected with a moment’s 
melancholy. They represent at once, the bards of ancient times, — the 
troubadours of more modern days, — and the Italian improvisatori of 
our own age.” 
Inhabitants of California. 
The Californians are well made, and very strong. They are said 
to be extremely pusillanimous, inconstant, stupid, and even insensible. 
Before the Europeans penetrated into California, the natives had no 
