SHIRAZ. 
107 
there is only that difference between the two, which unfortunately exists 
in the real scene; that mine presents devastation, where his picture 
displays life and cultivation. An old Derveish now lives in a small cell 
close to the ruined gate, and refreshes the passing stranger with a cup 
of pure w T ater. The remaining walls and turrets, which are nearly at¬ 
tached to the gate on the Shiraz side, still attest the artificial strength 
of the pass in former days; and the formation of the lands around 
points it out as a spot which the modern perfection of military art would 
render an almost impregnable hold. 
The Takht-a-Cadjar is a pleasure-house about a mile and a half East 
of the town, erected by the present Family, and situated in an enclosed 
garden of about twenty acres. It is built on a rock, but is much in¬ 
ferior indeed both in solidity and ornament, to any of the works of 
Kerim Khan. From the upper window of one of its rooms, I took 
a view of the city, which extended itself beautifully before me. This 
pleasure-house is much visited by the Prince; on the left side of it he 
has an enclosed place in which he keeps antelopes and other game. 
From the quantity of water which runs through it, the garden itself 
must be most luxuriant in vegetation, and in summer a most delight¬ 
ful spot. 
1st January, 1809- The first day of the new year was fixed for our 
visit to the Prince. On the day appointed, accordingly Sir Harford, 
preceded by our Mehmandar , and followed by the gentlemen of his 
Mission and the body guard, paraded through the town as on the day 
of our entry, until we reached the gate of state. The streets were filled 
as before, and the bazars displayed all their wealth. The first gate 
introduced us immediately from the bazar into the first court of the 
palace. The breadth and length of this court were of large and fine 
proportions. The high summits of its walls were crowned with arched 
battlements, the planes of which were worked in a species of close 
lattice. We proceeded through this court into another, the spacious 
area of which seemed to form a complete square. Its magnificent walls 
were covered in regular compartments with various implements of 
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