116 
SHIRAZ, 
which the whole is transacted is one of the most agreeable circumstances 
of a Persian feast. There is no rattle of plates and knives and forks, 
no confusion of lacquies, no drinking of healths, no disturbance of 
carving, scarcely a word is spoken, and all are intent on the business 
before them. Their feasts are soon over; and, although it appears dif¬ 
ficult to collect such an immense number of dishes, and to take them 
away again without much confusion and much time, yet all is so well regu¬ 
lated that every thing disappears as if by magic. The lacquies bring the 
dishes in long trays called conchas , which are discharged in order, and 
which are again taken up and carried away with equal facility. When 
the whole is cleared, and the cloths rolled up, ewers and basins are 
brought in, and every one washes his hand and mouth. Until the water 
is presented it is ridiculous enough to see the right hand of every per¬ 
son (which is covered with the complicated fragments of all the dishes) 
placed in a certain position over his left arm: there is a fashion even in 
this. The whole entertainment was now over, and we took our leaves 
and returned home Such a fete costs a very considerable sum. Be¬ 
sides ourselves, all the Envoy’s numerous servants, and all the privates 
of his body guard were invited to it, and eat and drank in different 
apartments. The same dinner which had been put before us was after¬ 
wards carried to them, and I understand that, even in the common do¬ 
mestic life of a Persian, the profusion which is exhibited on his table 
surprises the European stranger; and is explained only by the necessity 
of feeding his numerous household, to whom all his dishes are passed, 
after he has satisfied his own appetite. 
5th. As we were at dinner on the following day, one of the Princes 
own feroshes brought a dish composed of eggs, &Ci»anade up into a 
species of omelette, with two small bowls of sherbet, and a plate of 
powdered spices, which he announced as a present from the Prince 
himself. These sort of attentions are frequent between friends in 
Persia, and, at the moment of dinner, it seems that the Prince, who is 
particularly fond of the dish, was anxious that the Envoy also should 
