SHIRAZ, 
105 
principal room, which is open in front and supported by two marble 
columns, are some paintings, many of which represent the sanctity of 
the Derveishes lives, and the ceremonies of the self-inflicted torments of 
their bodies. The principal paintings are Abraham's Sacrifice of Isaac, 
on the right; on the left, Moses keeping the flocks of Jethro. In the 
centre is the story of Sheik Chen an, a popular tale in Shiraz. 
Sheik Chenan, a Persian of the true faith, and a man of learning and 
consequence, fell in love with an Armenian lady of great beauty, who 
would not marry him unless he changed his religion. To this he agreed: 
still she would not marry him, unless he would drink wine : this scruple 
also he yielded. She resisted still, unless he consented to eat pork: 
with this also he complied. Still she was coy and refused to fulfil her 
engagement, unless he would be contented to drive swine before her. 
Even this condition he accepted: and she then told him that she would 
not have him at all, and laughed at him for his pains. The picture re¬ 
presents the coquette at her window, laughing at Sheik Chenan, as 
he is driving his pigs before her. The wainscoting of this room is of 
Tabriz marble: one of the largest slabs is nine feet in length, and five 
feet in breadth. 
We quitted this pretty place, and taking the road to the right came 
to a magnificent garden, another evidence of the splendour of the 
age of Kerim Khan. From its founder it was called in his time 
Bagh-a-Vakeel , but it has since acquired the name of Bagh-e-Iehan- 
Nemah. An immense wall, of the neatest construction, encloses a 
square tract of land, which is laid out into walks, shaded by cypress 
and chenar trees, and watered by a variety of marble canals and small 
artificial cascades. Over the entrance, which is a lofty and arched 
passage, is built a pleasure-house. It consists of a centrical room with a 
small closet at each corner. The ornaments and paintings with which it 
is embellished, are more rich and more elegant than I can describe. 
The wainscot is of Tabriz marble, and inlaid with gold and ornamental 
flowers, birds, and domestic animals. The pannels of the doors are 
beautiful paintings, with the richest and most brilliant varnish; and the 
F 
