184 
ISPAHAN TO TEHERAN. 
great profusion at the foot of the nearer mountains. The soil of the 
plain is salt, and of course very soft, intersected by a great number 
of dikes, which being well replenished with water had rendered the 
road extremely difficult. As we approached Teheran , we were met by 
frequent istakballs, in the principal of which was Norooz Khan, 
one of the King’s relations, and Master of the Ceremonies. The 
mob increased greatly as we came to the town walls. At the gate, 
through which we passed, were posted files of soldiers of the new corps, 
dressed something like Russians and disciplined after the European 
manner. We passed through small streets of miserable buildings, and 
saw nothing that indicated royalty. At length we dismounted at the 
house of Hajee Mahomed Hossein Khan, the second Minister, 
where we were treated with chairs and tables, which had been provided 
by our host. Though it had been his own residence, and though he 
had just removed from it to make room for the Embassy, we found it a 
mansion far less respectable than any that we had seen either at Shiraz 
or Ispahan. All the riches are collected on the throne, and all around 
is poverty, either real or affected. 
The reception of His Majesty’s Mission, from our entrance into 
Persia to our arrival in the capital, was marked with the most ready 
attention, and the highest honours from all classes; and our journey 
was now closed at Teheran by particular and gratifying distinctions. 
