20 
HISTORY OF THE SHEIK OF BXJSHIRE. 
rows to the right and left before him. The conversation consisted of 
mutual compliments about health, the hopes of continued amity be¬ 
tween Persia and England, and the never failing topic the weather. 
The whole party wore the black sheep-skin cap (the dress of every rank 
of Persians), and almost all had pistols in their girdles; some had 
muskets, and all, except the Khans own body servants, had swords. 
Most of them also wore the green and high-heeled slippers of ceremony, 
and every man had a full black beard. On the day of this visit, the 
Sheik , as a douceur perhaps to engage the Envoy’s interference in 
his cause, sent him a present of two horses. 
On the 20th. I went on the part of the Envoy to return the visit of 
the Nasakchee Bashee. He was encamped among some date trees; 
and living in the remains of a house which was all in ruins, but which 
he had screened up with mats to keep off the sun and wind. A clean 
mat was spread on the floor, carpets were arranged all around, and his 
bed and cushions were rolled up in one corner: over the carpet, on 
which he sate himself, was a covering of light blue chintz. When we 
were within a hundred yards, we saw him walking about; but as soon 
as he perceived our approach, he seated himself in the place of honour, - 
and did not pay us the compliment of rising when we entered. I made 
him a civil speech in Turkish, and he in return asked after the Envoy’s 
health. He seemed, indeed, much pleased with the epithet of EJfendi, 
which I used frequently in addressing him, but which, as I afterwards 
learned, is never applied in Persia to any but very great men. His 
vanity was accordingly much flattered ; and he exclaimed lo his atten¬ 
dants, that I was “ Khoob Jouani” a fine fellow. When we had ex¬ 
hausted all our compliments, we took our leave. 
The mission on which he was dispatched to Bit shire originated in the 
following circumstances. Some years ago, the Sheik had been required 
by the Governor of Farsistan to furnish a certain sum of money. He 
pleaded poverty : he was ordered to borrow ; and to obviate every diffi¬ 
culty, he was told that a particular person would advance the money, at 
an interest indeed prescribed by the same authority which dictated 
the amount of the capital The Nasakchee Bashee was now sent to en- 
