RESIDENCE OF THE MISSION AT BUSHIRE. 
39 
who was unfortunately killed at Bombay.) The room into which we 
were introduced was very pleasant, and by far more agreeable than any 
thing that I had expected at Bushire. Two pillars, neatly inlaid with 
looking-glasses, supported it on one side, and thus separated it from a 
small court, which was crowded with servants. An orange tree stood in 
the centre of the court. The walls of the room were of a beautiful 
white stucco, resembling plaster of Paris ; and large curtains were sus¬ 
pended around them, to screen in every position the company from the 
sun. The Khan was seated in a comer, and having taken off our shoes 
at the door, we paid our respects severally, and then settled ourselves 
according to our rank. When we were arranged, he went about sepa¬ 
rately to each, and with an inclination of his head, told us we were 
welcome, (“ Khosh Amedeed.” ) The Vice-governor next appeared, 
and sat respectfully at a little distance. He was followed by the Gover¬ 
nor of the small neighbouring district of Dasti , a rough looking man, 
who exchanged a kiss with the Khan. We had kaleoons , (the water 
pipe), then sweet sherbet, then again the kaleoons. Few words passed, 
and we did little except look at each other. Two or three Arabs came 
in, and were welcomed by the Khan with the “khosh amedeed” as they 
seated themselves at the further end of the room. The measurement of 
their distances in a visit seems a study of most general application in 
Persia; and the knowledge of compliments is the only knowledge dis¬ 
played in their meetings; if, indeed, the visits of ceremony, which alone 
we witnessed, could be considered a fair specimen of national manners or 
the state of society. 
When visited by a superior, the Persian rises hastily and meets his 
guest nearly at the door of the apartment: on the entrance of an equal, 
he just raises himself from his seat, and stands nearly erect; but to an 
inferior he makes the motion only of rising. When a great man is 
speaking, the style of respect in Persia is not quite so servile as that in 
India. In listening the Indians join their hands together, (as in England 
little children are taught to do in prayer,) place them on their breast, 
and making inclinations of the body sit mute. A visit is much less 
